Stormy Skies and Sudden Chill: Himachal Grapples with Hail, Thunder, and Disrupted Routines
A dramatic shift in weather swept across Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, as heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hailstorms lashed several districts, plunging towns into darkness and bringing daily life to a standstill. The sudden downpour led to a sharp drop in temperatures, offering a break from the summer heat but also causing concern for farmers.
The Meteorological Centre in Shimla has issued an orange alert for May 24 and 25, warning of more hailstorms and thunderstorms with gusty winds reaching up to 60 km/h in districts including Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla.
By mid-afternoon, dense clouds had blanketed the skies, turning day into night in places like Shimla, Bilaspur, and Solan. Drivers were forced to switch on headlights as visibility plummeted. Around 3:00 PM, the skies opened up with rain and strong winds sweeping through the region.
While the cooler weather brought some relief, it also left a trail of damage. In Palampur (Kangra), a fierce hailstorm battered standing crops and fruit orchards, particularly mangoes. Similar scenes unfolded in Una’s Bangana area and parts of Hamirpur, where hail and heavy rain pounded the landscape.
A yellow alert remains in effect for other districts, with forecasts predicting intermittent rain and thunderstorms through May 23. From May 24 to 27, light to moderate rainfall is expected to continue across much of the state, including the high-altitude regions.
Though the cooler temperatures are welcome, the sudden weather shift has raised alarms among farmers, many of whom now face the risk of crop losses due to hail damage.
