Cool Shimla: Gets Hot!

By Cara

Friday, March 26, 2010, 11:09

Shimla has always been one of the most favourite tourist destinations of Northern India. The cool and pleasant climate during summer makes it a preferred destination for everyone. However, nothing is the same any more.

Shimla is no longer as cool and pleasant it use to be. The rising temperature is now the reason for many locals to worry, as most of them largely depend on tourist inflow for their livelihood.

"We have not witnessed such heat in Shimla before. It is worrying. In coming time the heat will also create water crisis in town," said Jeet Ram Sharma, a local resident.

The Meteorological Department in Shimla believes that the temperature has risen because there were no western disturbances, and has forecasted a further rise in temperatures over the coming days.

"We are not expecting any rain or snow in the coming days so the temperature will remain same or slightly increase in some places," said Manmohan Singh, Director of Meteorology Centre, Shimla.

This year, Shimla has recorded the warmest month of March after 2004, with temperatures soaring 8 to 10 degree Celsius above normal. In 2004, the highest temperature in March was recorded at 27.2 degree Celsius. This year temperatures already touched 25.8 degree Celsius.