The regional weather department in Shimla has issued orange and yellow alerts for many districts of Himachal Pradesh for Wednesday, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of the state.
An orange alert has been issued for Sirmaur, Una, Bilaspur, Mandi, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Chamba districts, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall. A yellow alert has been issued for Solan, Shimla, and Kullu, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) urging both residents and tourists to stay alert and prepared.
Meanwhile, several areas of Himachal Pradesh experienced intermittent showers on Tuesday, bringing a noticeable dip in temperatures and much-needed respite from the heat. The rain brought a pleasant change in weather, much to the delight of tourists across the hill state.
In Shimla, a heavy spell of rain on Tuesday afternoon briefly disrupted local activities but the refreshing downpour was met with enthusiasm by tourists, who welcomed the cooler air and scenic views.
Tourists from Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, and Delhi, escaping the intense summer heat back home, expressed happiness over the pleasant weather. Many said it’s a perfect monsoon retreat, enjoying the soothing climate and lush green landscapes.
Vikramjeet Kaur, who hails from Punjab, said, “It feels really good here, although the rain did interrupt our sightseeing a little. It's our first time in Shimla and it started raining right away. The weather has become really beautiful. There are some challenges with photography because of the mist, but overall it's an enjoyable and romantic experience.”
Another tourist from Punjab, Jasbir Singh, said the rain was a welcome change from the heat back home. "It had become too hot in Punjab, so we decided to come to Shimla. The weather here is lovely. It's raining and there's a dense mist. We had planned to do some photography after our ride, but the fog has dampened the ladies' excitement a bit. Still, we're enjoying the atmosphere; it's a different kind of weather. It feels great to be away from home in such a refreshing environment.”
Rattan Lal Gautam, a local resident, expressed happiness over the rainfall and said, "We expect good rainfall now that the monsoon has entered Himachal. For farmers, this rain is very welcome, and I pray to God that this year is not a repeat of 2023, which brought heavy losses. Good rain will benefit agriculture greatly."
With Shimla witnessing an influx of tourists escaping the intense summer heat of the plains, local businesses have reported increased footfall despite occasional disruptions due to rain and fog.
Authorities have advised caution due to slippery roads and foggy conditions, but expect the cool weather to continue drawing visitors seeking a break from the plains' scorching summer.
As Shimla continues to see a surge in tourist arrivals escaping the scorching summer heat of the plains, local businesses are reporting a steady increase in footfall regardless of occasional disruptions caused by rain and fog.
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