Rain above normal, temperatures stay low in Himachal

Shimla: Many parts of Himachal Pradesh received light to moderate rain on Tuesday, with temperatures remaining below normal across the state.Amid an orange alert, rainfall was recorded in Kullu, Mandi, Kangra, Chamba, Bilaspur and Shimla districts. The meteorological centre in Shimla said the state received an average 4.2mm rain in the 24 hours till 8am, 203% above the normal of 1.4 mm.From May 1 to 5, Himachal recorded 16.3mm rainfall, 35% above the normal of 12 mm.Both maximum and minimum temperatures stayed below normal. Una recorded the highest maximum at 34.6°C, 2.8°C below normal. Among tourist destinations, Shimla recorded 19.5°C (-4.2°C), Dharamshala 25°C (-4.8°C) and Manali 17.2°C (-6.7°C).Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded the lowest minimum at 2.6°C, 3.2°C below normal, while Nahan saw the sharpest drop, with the minimum at 14.6°C (8.1°C below normal).The Met department has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in parts of the state for May 6.No vehicular movement beyond MarhiThe Kullu administration has allowed vehicles on the Rohtang route up to Marhi, but banned movement beyond that point. Deputy commissioner Anurag Chander Sharma said the decision followed a joint inspection, which found the Gulaba–Marhi stretch safe for tourists. The route will remain closed every Tuesday till May 19 for repair work.