Mercury rising: Temperature soars in north India, Shimla sizzles
IMD has reported that Shimla, has recorded its highest minimum temperature in the last 20 years.
Shimla, February 20: The daytime temperature is on the rise across north India, including Shimla as winter retreats. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, has recorded its highest minimum temperature in the last 20 years.
The temperature is on the rise over the last few days, with areas in the NCR region recording the highest temperature of 29.6 on February 18, according to data shared by the IMD. On the other hand Shimla is at 14.4 degrees Celsius and has recorded highest-ever minimum temperature in the history.
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Earlier, IMD reported that the minimum temperature recorded on April 8 was 16.3 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record of 15.7 degrees Celsius set in 2003. This is the highest minimum temperature ever recorded in the city since records began in 1901. The rise in minimum temperature is being attributed to global warming and the El Nino phenomenon.
The mercury has been inching up in the hills and across the north Indian belt over the last few days. The IMD has forecast a western disturbance across the north Indian belt over the next 24 hours, with the mercury set to drop in the region after a few days. "The temperatures in most places of Himachal Pradesh are above normal. On Saturday, Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 14.4 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous highest for this time of year, at 14.2 degrees Celsius on February 26, 2015. At 29.5 degrees Celsius on February 16, this year, Solan, too, surpassed its previous highest of 28.5 degrees Celsius on February 26, 2021," said Surender Paul, head of IMD, Himachal Pradesh.
"The highest maximum temperature at Solan (located at 1,550 metres above sea level), as per our records, was 28.5 degrees Celsius on February 26, 2021. However, the record was broken on February 16 when the minimum temperature was recorded at 29.5 degrees Celsius," he added.
"Both the minimum and maximum temperatures in the state are currently 4 to 5 degrees above normal. In some areas, the temperatures are 8 to 10 degrees above normal," he said.
The mercury is rising in other parts of the state as well, Paul said, adding that there has been less precipitation this year, resulting in a rise in daytime temperatures.
"There was less western disturbance this year and it was particularly weak at higher altitudes, resulting in deficient precipitation and an increase in temperatures in the state. There are many other reasons for the rising temperatures, one of which could be the change in local weather pattern and changing climatic conditions," Paul added.
Over the last 24 hours, Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 14.4 degrees Celsius, its highest till date for this time of year. Also, as per the latest data, the minimum temperature was on the higher side on Saturday as well.
Most hill stations in Himachal recorded above-normal minimum temperatures, with Dalhousie recording a minimum of 15.2 degrees Celsius and Jubbwrhatti in Shimla at 13 degrees Celsius.
Kangra recorded a minimum of 10.4 degrees Celsius, with Palampur at 10 degrees Celsius, Narkanda in Shimla at 9 degrees Celsius, Kufri at 12.9 degrees Celsisus, Rekong Peo in Kinnaur district at 6.2 degrees Celsius and Mandi at 8.9 degrees Celsius.