EXPLAINER: It’s early April, but heat wave intensifying in state

It’s still early days in April but some places are already enduring heat waves in Himachal. Compared to the plain areas, the hills are warming up faster. In hill stations like Shimla (26°C), Manali (26.3°C), Kalpa (22.7°C) and Keylong (17.8°C), the maximum temperatures are already six-seven degrees higher than normal. Minimum temperatures, too, are around four degrees higher than normal. The lower regions like Una (36.8°C) and Sundernagar (34.3°C) have maximum temperatures soaring four to five degrees higher than normal.

In sync with recent trend

Though worrying, the surge in temperatures isn’t a new phenomenon in the state. Of late, the maximum temperatures have been mostly higher than normal in the state – not just in summers but also during the peak winter month of January and even in the months of September and November.

In 2024, maximum temperatures went past all-time highs or came close on various occasions. For instance, Solan (29°C), Dharamsala (27.6°C) Una (33.4°C) and Keylong (20°C) recorded their highest temperature for the month of November last year. In September, Kangra (35°C), Bhuntar (35.5°C), Sundernagar (35.1°C) and Una (38.6°C) registered their highest temperatures for the month. In peak summers in May, Una touched 46°C, the all-time highest temperature recorded in the state. Several other places, including Shimla, came close to touching their highest temperature ever in May.

In January, too, several places like Shimla, Solan, Keylong, Kalpa and Bhuntar recorded temperatures that were seven to 13 degrees higher than normal.

The year 2025 also started on a similar warm note – Shimla recorded its highest ever maximum temperature (22°C) for the month of January. Several other places, including Manali, also saw a big surge in minimum temperatures as well.

Reasons behind the surge

As per the weather officials, the major factor behind the soaring temperatures is less than normal precipitation at any given time in a year. January has been witnessing a surge in temperatures as snowfall has been scanty in this peak winter month over the past few years. Similarly, the state went largely without rains post monsoon last year and the result was many places recording their highest ever maximum temperatures for these two months. Pollution level can also push up the temperature of a given place.

The impact

Rising temperatures impact horticulture and agriculture the most in the state. The hot and dry weather conditions can have adverse impact on apple and stone fruits depending on their stages of development, affecting both quality and quantity of the fruit. Similarly, high temperatures cause damage to a variety of vegetables grown in the state, which require cooler temperatures. Further, high temperatures, coupled with below normal precipitation, put a lot of stress on water sources. To mitigate the effects of heat wave, government agencies have action plans in place that include measures for medical preparedness, health issues, and addressing potential shortages of drinking water and fodder for cattle.

Himachal Tribune