The scorching heatwave tightens its grip on Himachal Pradesh, Una recorded a staggering temperature of 43 degrees Celsius, signalling a distressing surge in the mercury levels.
Alongside the relentless heat, the state grapples with a mounting forest fire crisis, with a staggering 67 incidents reported within a span of 24 hours, pushing the season’s total to a concerning 664. Meteorological data from the Shimla meteorological centre indicates that several districts, including Una, Hamirpur, Kangra, Bilaspur, Mandi, and parts of Solan and Sirmaur, continue to experience temperatures above normal thresholds. Una’s scorching 43 degrees Celsius led the charts, closely followed by Bilaspur, where temperatures soared to 40.4 degrees Celsius. Weather officials attribute the exacerbation of the heatwave to the notable absence of rainfall this month. With only 11.2 mm of rainfall recorded in May, marking a staggering 76% deficit from the normal rainfall of 46.3 mm, the parched conditions intensify the heatwave’s impact. Moreover, April witnessed a rainfall deficit of 64.8 mm, further exacerbating the arid conditions.
In response to the relentless heat, the education department has initiated changes in school timings across lower districts of Himachal Pradesh, prioritising the well-being of students amidst the soaring temperatures. The weather department forecasts the heatwave to persist until May 28, exacerbating concerns over public health and safety.
Meanwhile, the state battles a parallel crisis as dry weather fuels forest fires, with 67 additional incidents reported in the last 24 hours alone. Dharamshala forest circle tops the charts with 165 forest fires, followed by Hamirpur, Mandi, and Nahan, among others. The cumulative damage inflicted by these fires stands at approximately Rs 1.60 crore, engulfing over 6,500 hectares of land.
The severity of the situation underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts to mitigate the impacts of the dual crises. As Himachal Pradesh navigates through the escalating heatwave and forest fire emergencies, collaborative measures and proactive strategies are imperative to safeguard lives, property, and the region’s ecological integrity.
