A heavy hailstorm hit Shimla on March 16, 2026, covering large parts of the city in white. This sudden weather event came as a stark contrast to the prolonged dry spell that had plagued Himachal Pradesh, where the rainfall deficit had reached nearly 98 percent earlier in the month.

The hailstorm caused a sharp drop in temperature, leading to significant disruptions in movement across the town. Residents were seen seeking shelter as conditions worsened, highlighting the immediate impact of the storm on daily life.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an Orange Alert for hailstorm and thunderstorm activity in several districts, including Shimla, indicating the severity of the situation. Local residents expressed their concerns, with one individual, Roshan, noting, “The sudden rainfall has increased difficulties for people. While rain is good, a hailstorm can cause problems as it may damage crops.”

As the hailstorm progressed, it became evident that the agricultural sector could face significant challenges. The ongoing agricultural season may be adversely affected, raising alarms among farmers who rely on stable weather conditions for their crops.

In the midst of this chaos, some observers pointed out a silver lining. The rainfall, following such a dry period, could aid in recharging water resources in Shimla, potentially alleviating some of the water scarcity issues that had been exacerbated by the drought.

However, the immediate aftermath of the hailstorm was marked by increased cold, which posed additional challenges. Diksha Jamwal, a local resident, remarked, “The sudden hailstorm has caused problems as the cold has increased. Children are on vacation, and such weather during this time creates difficulties.”

Looking ahead, the IMD reported that a new western disturbance would affect northwest India from the night of March 17, 2026, suggesting that further weather disturbances could be on the horizon. This development has left many in Shimla anxious about the potential for more severe weather.

As the community begins to assess the damage and recover from this unexpected hailstorm, the resilience of Shimla’s residents will be tested once again. The balance between the benefits of rainfall and the dangers posed by hailstorms remains a critical concern for the region.

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Manali weather is set to experience fresh snowfall and rain until March 17, as authorities have issued yellow alerts for several districts due to potential thunderstorms, hail, lightning, and gusty winds.

On March 12, districts including Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Kangra, and Chamba are on alert for stormy conditions. The region has seen a brief dry spell, but a fresh western disturbance is expected to trigger rain and snow across the state from March 14 onwards.

Temperatures are also set to dip, with minimums likely to fall by 2°C to 4°C and maximums by 3°C to 5°C. As of March 12, Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 13.6°C, while Dharamsala and Manali recorded minimums of 12.8°C and 11.2°C, respectively.

In contrast, Una was the hottest spot, recording a maximum temperature of 33.2°C. Meanwhile, Tabo in Lahaul-Spiti recorded the coldest minimum temperature at 1.4°C.

Despite the forecast of rain and snow, most areas remained dry, with only light showers reported in the higher hills over the past 24 hours. This weather pattern reflects the changing climate conditions in Himachal Pradesh.

Observers are closely monitoring the situation as the weather evolves, with expectations of significant changes in the coming days. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the extent of the snowfall and rain expected from the upcoming western disturbance.

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