Sweltering heatwave sizzled Mercury 44.6 degrees in Himachal
Himachal Pradesh is experiencing sweltering and intense heatwave conditions soaring the temperature to unprecedented levels.
On Tuesday, Neri emerged as the hottest location, recording a scorching 44.6°C. Even the capital city, Shimla, known for its cooler climate, reached 30.4°C, which is 5°C above the normal.
Several other areas also faced extreme heat, with temperatures surpassing the 40°C mark. Hamirpur recorded 40.6°C, Una 42.5°C, Berthin 40.0°C, and Bilaspur 41.8°C. Sundernagar hit 40.5°C, and Jubberhatti and Kasauli experienced 34.1°C and 35.0°C, respectively.
Kangra and Mandi reported high temperatures of 39.8°C and 39.2°C. Meanwhile, Keylong, known for its cooler climate, recorded the lowest temperature on the map at 18.6°C, which is still 4.4°C below normal.
The sweltering heatwave has forced residents to seek refuge indoors or in shaded areas, relying heavily on air conditioners and coolers to beat the heat.
The extreme conditions have also sparked forest fires in several pine jungles, further exacerbating the situation.
Despite the oppressive heat, tourists continue to flock to the region, causing a significant strain on the hospitality industry.
Hotels and other accommodations are fully booked, and traffic congestion is rampant, especially in Shimla, where vehicular traffic chokes the town during check-in and check-out times.
The soaring temperatures have also led to a surge in the demand for cold drinks.
However, the severe heatwave poses a threat to local agriculture, potentially affecting fruit and apple crops as well as off-season vegetables.
The current weather conditions underline the extreme summer temperatures gripping Himachal Pradesh, with significant deviations from the norm impacting daily life, tourism, and agriculture in the region.
