The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light rains in isolated upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh over the next two days, while warning of a prolonged dry spell and rising temperatures across the state after May 18.
Speaking to ANI, IMD chief Shobhit Katiyar said no major weather activity is expected in most parts of the state over the next three days, though isolated light rain spells are possible in high hill areas, including Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu.
“From May 18 to 23, the weather across Himachal Pradesh is expected to remain dry. However, due to fresh western disturbances, rainfall activity may resume in the state after May 24,” Katiyar said.
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He added that daytime temperatures currently range between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius in the lowlands and plains, between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius in the central hilly areas, and between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius in the highlands.
Katiyar said temperatures are likely to rise steadily over the next week due to the absence of significant weather systems.
“In the next three-four days, temperatures in the low hill areas and plains may reach around 40 degrees Celsius,” he said, adding that Una district recorded a maximum temperature of 36.2 degrees Celsius on Thursday, while neighboring areas witnessed temperatures ranging between 34 and 35 degrees Celsius.
The state has so far received higher than normal rainfall during the month of May, the IMD official said. As against the normal rainfall of around 33 mm between May 1 and 14, Himachal Pradesh has already recorded 37 mm of rainfall, which is around 13 per cent more than the normal.
He added that the cumulative pre-monsoon rainfall from March 1 to May 14 was 197 mm as against 210 mm, reflecting a deficit of nearly 6 per cent.
No heatwave warning has been issued yet, but heatwave-like conditions may develop in isolated areas around May 20-22, Katiyar said.
“We may issue a heatwave warning within the next day or two, depending on evolving conditions,” he added. (that I)
