National Desk
18 April
Sandeep Dhand
Journalist and Research Analysist
Several parts of Himachal Pradesh were hit by heavy rain, strong winds, and hailstorms, causing widespread damage and disruption. After the strong winds, many trees were uprooted, leading to power outages in several areas of Shimla, where residents had to face hours without electricity.
In Hamirpur’s Barsar area, a tragic incident occurred during a nighttime storm. A pipe and trees fell on migrant workers’ huts due to the high-speed winds, resulting in the death of an 8-year-old boy named Abhishek Kumar.
Meanwhile, light snowfall of about 1 centimeter was recorded in Gondla, Lahaul-Spiti on Wednesday evening. According to the Meteorological Department, Siobagh in Kullu district received the highest rainfall at 28.8 mm, followed by 23.8 mm in Kukumseri (Lahaul-Spiti), and 18 mm in Narkanda.
Horticulture and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi informed that hailstorm in several areas has damaged apples and other fruits and crops. Officials are currently assessing the losses. He also mentioned that uprooted trees have blocked many roads and caused traffic jams.
Some houses have also been damaged due to the extreme weather. Repair work is currently underway in affected areas. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Thursday and Friday, warning of heavy rainfall, hailstorm, and snowfall in different parts of the state. Thunderstorms with lightning and strong winds are also expected in 12 districts.
The government has advised people to stay indoors during adverse weather and take precautions to ensure their safety. With ongoing disruptions, authorities are on alert to manage emergencies and restore normalcy as soon as possible.