Planning to escape the heat in the hills? Himachal sizzle at 40°C, with Shimla, Kullu, and Manali seeing above-normal temps

A heat wave alert was issued for several parts of Himachal Pradesh on Monday, as temperatures surged across the state. The warning comes despite the state's name, which translates to "snowy mountains," as both maximum and minimum temperatures have reached unusually high levels. Among the popular tourist spots, Shimla experienced a minimum temperature of 17.2ºC, which is 3.7º above the usual. Manali's night temperature was 9.5ºC, 1.5º higher than normal. Kasauli recorded a minimum of 18.5ºC, while Dharamshala saw a temperature of 17.8ºC.

Rising Temperatures Across the State

On Monday, the temperature in Una rose above 41°C, with other areas like Kangra (36.6°C), Sundernagar (36.2°C), Bilaspur (36°C), and Mandi (35.6°C) also experiencing intense heat. The capital city of Shimla saw a maximum of 26.8°C, while Manali reached 28.5°C. In contrast, Keylong in Lahaul Spiti recorded the lowest maximum temperature of 16.9°C, while the minimum temperature has been steadily rising across the state. Keylong also had the lowest minimum temperature at 3.3°C.

Heat Wave to Continue Till April 30

The Meteorological Centre in Shimla has predicted that the heat wave will continue in Una, Kullu, and Mandi until April 30. "The heat wave will prevail in these areas till April 30," the department said. Meanwhile, other places in the state are also experiencing high temperatures.

Thunderstorms Expected in May

The weather department has forecasted a change in conditions for May 1 and 2, with a possibility of thunderstorms and lightning in most parts of Himachal Pradesh. Isolated areas may also experience gusty winds during these days.

The heat wave, which is unusual for the region, has raised concerns as the state braces for further fluctuations in the weather.