March heat surprises visitors in Shimla as Himachal Pradesh sees unusual warm spell

Himachal Pradesh has experienced an unusually warm spell earlier than anticipated this year, with temperatures rising sharply in early March in a number of the hill state's regions.

In the state capital, Shimla, clear skies and bright sunshine were seen on Monday, pushing daytime temperatures higher than the seasonal average. The sudden rise in temperature caught many tourists off guard, as visitors walking along the popular Mall Road were seen enjoying ice creams and keeping themselves hydrated to cope with the heat.

While some travellers made the most of the sunny weather, others expressed disappointment as they had come to the hill station hoping to experience the lingering chill of winter that Shimla is known for.

According to the weather office, a yellow alert for heatwave conditions has been issued for parts of Himachal Pradesh for March 9 and 10. Meteorologists say daytime temperatures in some areas are already running above normal and may remain 8 to 10 degrees Celsius higher than the seasonal average.

The warmer conditions are not limited to Himachal Pradesh. Several northern states across India have also recorded above-normal daytime temperatures in recent days.

However, relief may be on the way. The Weather Department has predicted that a fresh western disturbance could bring wet spells to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir later this week, which may help moderate the rising temperatures.