Hailstorm Alert Issued as Weather Turns Unsettled Across Himachal

After days of rising temperatures, weather conditions in Himachal Pradesh are set to change, with rain, thunderstorms and even snowfall expected in the coming days. The Meteorological Department has issued a hailstorm alert for several districts, including Shimla and Kullu, urging people to stay cautious.

The shift in weather is being caused by an active Western Disturbance moving across the region. Its impact is likely to be felt through intermittent rain, thunderstorms and fresh snowfall in higher reaches of the state over the next few days.

An Orange Alert has been sounded for parts of Shimla and Kullu districts, warning of possible hailstorms accompanied by gusty winds blowing at speeds of 40–50 kmph. Officials have cautioned that such conditions could damage standing crops, fruit orchards—especially apple plantations—and temporary structures in exposed areas.

The weather department has forecast light to moderate rain at isolated places on April 28, 29 and 30, with similar conditions possibly extending into early May. Higher altitude areas may also witness fresh snowfall, which could disrupt road connectivity and affect travel in upper regions.

This change comes as a welcome break after an intense spell of heat in the lower parts of the state. Places like Una recently recorded temperatures as high as 42 degrees Celsius, creating heatwave-like conditions. The expected rainfall is likely to bring relief, with temperatures predicted to fall by 2 to 5 degrees Celsius over the next few days, offering some respite to residents across Himachal Pradesh.