Trees uprooted, vehicles damaged and power supply hit as late-night storm lashes Shimla

Surinder Chauhan, Mayor, Shimla, told The Indian Express, “Half of Shimla was affected by last night’s storm. The weather department had issued an early warning, so we were well prepared. There was no rain during the storm. Teams from the horticulture and electricity departments were deployed to clear fallen trees and restore disrupted power lines. Broken trees have been removed from many areas, and power supply has almost been fully restored.”

However, significant damage was also reported in other districts, including Kangra, Hamirpur, and Una. In upper Shimla, several apple trees were uprooted and the storm adversely affected the flowering of the plants.

The State Disaster Control Room confirmed that no loss of human life was reported in last night’s storm.

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Friday and Saturday for several districts, forecasting rain, thunderstorms, and hail. Owing to an active western disturbance, the weather is expected to remain unsettled across most parts of the state from Friday to Sunday. On Friday and Sunday, snowfall is likely in the higher reaches of Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, and Shimla. Rain and hail are expected in the lower regions.

Districts likely to experience rain, strong winds, and hailstorms include Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Mandi, Kullu, Chamba, Una, Kangra, Bilaspur, and Hamirpur. Inclement weather is also expected to persist in the higher mountainous regions of the state on Sunday.