SHIMLA, April 4: Rain lashed several mid and lower hill districts of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday while fresh snowfall continued in higher reaches, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) maintained an orange alert for parts of the state and warned of continued unstable weather over the coming days. Official forecasts indicate that the current wet spell, triggered by an active western disturbance, is likely to continue at least till April 6, with another fresh system expected to affect the region from April 7 onward.

The latest IMD bulletin said light to moderate rainfall was likely over most low hills, plains and mid-hill areas on April 4, while light to moderate rain and snowfall were expected over most high hill regions. Tourist destinations including Shimla, Kufri, Narkanda, Solang Valley and Sissu were also expected to witness repeated spells of rain or snow during the active weather phase. Day temperatures across many parts of Himachal were forecast to fall by around 4 to 6 degrees Celsius between April 3 and April 6.

The weather impact was visible across both urban and high-altitude belts. Shimla and Dharamshala received intermittent rain through the day, while districts such as Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti saw fresh snowfall. According to same-day reporting, rainfall also affected Kullu, Mandi, Chamba, Solan, Kangra and Sirmaur, while snowfall in Lahaul-Spiti disrupted movement on multiple roads and forced restrictions in avalanche-prone stretches near the Atal Tunnel area.

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IMD Issues Hail and Thunderstorm Warning

The orange alert in Himachal on April 4 is not only about precipitation but also about severe localised weather. IMD has warned of hailstorm activity at isolated places in Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts, while a yellow alert remains in force for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40–60 kmph in several districts. The official district-level warning also extends into the coming days, especially for thunderstorm-related activity.

This is important for both residents and orchard owners. In April, many apple-growing and horticulture areas are especially vulnerable to hail damage, and sudden evening storms can also affect power supply, local transport and hill road safety. IMD’s advisory for the current spell includes precautions for fruit growers, indicating the likely impact on seasonal crops and orchards if hail intensifies in vulnerable belts.

The weather pattern also reflects a wider shift in the state’s early summer conditions. March had already ended with 93.7 mm rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, around 17% below the normal 113.4 mm, according to meteorological reporting, but the first week of April has again brought a sharp swing toward cold, wet and stormy conditions. At the same time, April rainfall till now has reportedly remained below normal overall, showing how Himachal continues to experience erratic and uneven weather distribution.

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Road Movement and Tourist Advisory

The strongest immediate impact is likely to remain on road travel and mountain tourism. Reports from Lahaul-Spiti indicated that at least 18 roads were affected due to snowfall, including strategic routes such as Darcha-Sarchu and Gramphu-Batal, while tourist and commercial movement near avalanche-prone stretches around the North Portal of Atal Tunnel was also restricted as a precaution.

Authorities have advised tourists heading to upper Himachal to check route status and local weather updates before travel, particularly toward snow-bound belts and high passes. Even in mid-hill towns such as Shimla, wet roads, poor visibility, falling temperatures and occasional thunder activity can create risky conditions for drivers and visitors unfamiliar with mountain terrain.

The broader forecast suggests Himachal may not get a stable weather window immediately. IMD’s seven-day bulletin indicates another active western disturbance is likely to influence northwest India from April 7, meaning fresh rain or snow activity could return strongly in many districts next week as well. That makes this not just a one-day weather event, but part of a prolonged and evolving spell that could continue to affect travel, tourism, horticulture and local life across the state.