Trees uprooted, roofs blown off as thunderstorms lash Himachal Pradesh on May 11, 2026

During the ongoing pre-monsoon season, Himachal Pradesh has received 191.6 mm rainfall from March 1 to May 11 against a normal of 201.9 mm, a deficit of five per cent.

Keylong registered the coldest night with a low of 4 degrees Celsius, while Una recorded the hottest day at 34.8 degrees Celsius.

Light to moderate rain and snow is likely in most parts of the state on May 11-13, at a few areas on May 14-15 and 16, and in isolated places on May 17, the weather office said.

The weather office predicted the wet spell in the state to continue till May 16, with a fresh western disturbance likely to affect Northwest India from May 15.

The Shimla meteorological office issued an alert for hailstorm, thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds at 40-70 kmph at isolated places in Kullu, Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur on Tuesday, warning that inclement weather may disrupt daily activities and affect property and power supply.

Thunderstorms and lightning activity were witnessed in Shimla, Jot, Murari Devi, Sundernagar, Bhuntar, Jubberhatti and Kangra, with gusty winds ranging 57-65 kmph observed in Sundernagar, Seobagh and Bilaspur.

Moderate rains were recorded across several parts of the state. Rainfall amounts included: Bijahi, Guler, Pandoh 40-50 mm; Kangra 32.4 mm; Sarahan 30 mm; Bhuntar 25.6 mm; Palampur 25.4 mm; Tabo 24.5 mm; Mandi 22.4 mm; Dehra Gopipur 18.3 mm; Manali 16 mm. Sundernagar 13.9 mm; Jubberhatti 10.6 mm; Bilaspur 9.8 mm; Kalpa 8.1 mm; Kasauli 6 mm; Shimla and Kufri 5 mm each.

Paprola and Chhota Bhangal areas of Baijnath subdivision suffered heavy damage as strong winds uprooted trees, blocked roads and disrupted power. Electricity supply has been restored and restoration works are underway.

A lineman of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board was electrocuted while repairing a fault in the Brindavan area in Kangra district as power supply was suddenly restored.

Uprooted trees damaged several vehicles in the Sundernagar area of Mandi district. In another village in the same area, dozens of cattle reportedly perished due to lightning.

A tree uprooted by strong winds blocked the road at Jalori Pass, disrupting vehicle traffic.

In the Banjar area of Kullu district, roofs of at least five houses and ten cowsheds were blown off in the villages of Ghalincha, Gharyal, Kameda and Kandi as severe thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds struck. Uprooted trees damaged overhead power transmission lines in some areas of Shimla and Kangra.