Shimla: The typically cooler hill parts of Himachal Pradesh are also seeing an unprecedented surge in temperatures, much like the rest of India, which is struggling with an expanding heatwave. Despite being categorized as hill regions with “normal” temperatures, places like Manali, Shimla, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, and Kinnaur are now seeing temperatures that are 3 to 4 degrees Celsius higher than the seasonal average.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that heatwave conditions are still present across the Himachal plains, especially hot districts like Una and the Kullu area of Bhuntar. For the last four days, temperatures in these regions have been five degrees Celsius higher than usual.

In an interview with the media reported on Tuesday, senior IMD scientist Shobhit Katiyar, who works at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla, said that the temperatures are higher than usual and should drop from May 2.

“Himachal Pradesh has had consistently dry and high temperatures during the last 24 hours. Temperatures throughout the day are 3 to 4 degrees Celsius more than usual, and in some places, they are even 5 degrees higher. These include the Bhuntar area close to Kullu and the Una district. For the previous four days, these areas have been under a continuous heatwave, according to Shobhit Kariyar.

Shimla, a popular summer getaway destination, has not been exempt from this heat wave. Shimla’s daytime high has already risen to almost 27 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal. These high temperatures are predicted to linger for the next two days, according to Katihar.

“Until May 2, there won’t be a significant decline in temperature, and the weather will generally be bright. For the next two days, Una and Bhuntar in particular are under a yellow warning for hot conditions,” he said.

But there will soon be relief. Beginning in the evening of May 1, a light Western Disturbance is predicted to affect Himachal Pradesh, causing temperatures to decrease by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius across the majority of the state’s areas. Additionally, there is a prediction for light rainfall, which may help temper the very high temperatures.

“The last Western Disturbance impacted the region on April 20 and 21,” Katiyar said.

“Temperatures have been gradually climbing since April 22. The oncoming system, which arrives on May 1 evening, will impact nearly the entire state. It is anticipated to deliver a mix of coolness and precipitation for four to five days,” he added.

According to the IMD, temperatures will stabilize at near-normal levels until May 2 and won’t likely climb again until May 7, when another heat wave may happen.

Tourists fleeing the blazing plains have not found much respite in the hills, as Himachal suffers from this sudden heat. Many were disappointed since the calm getaway they had imagined seemed more like the heat they were used to at home.

A Delhi traveler named Chandan Singh spoke about his experience.

“We expected Shimla to be significantly cooler. Instead, it feels unexpectedly warm. It doesn’t feel like we’re in a hill station. We were expecting temperatures in the range of 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, but this is not the case. It is now above 25°C. This place is hotter than we anticipated.

“The environmental changes that people keep talking about, and the global warming we read about, are now clearly visible in the mountains as well,” he said.

Una is the hottest place in Himachal Pradesh, with a temperature of 41.6°C, the highest the state has seen in the last 24 hours, according to the IMD. Even in areas that have historically had cold weather, this temperature increase highlights how the climate is changing.