Intermittent rain and thunderstorms accompanied by hail and lightning lashed several parts of Himachal since last night while tribal areas received fresh snowfall in May today. Lightning struck state capital Shimla past mid-night with deafening noise and electronic gadgets like computers, modems, TV sets and other equipment were damaged in a number of households. Storm uprooted trees at some places and also blew roofs of kucha houses and caused extensive damage to standing wheat crop and stone fruit crops. A severe hailstorm accompanied by rain, lightning and thunder again hit Shimla this afternoon, bringing normal life to halt and forced people to rush indoors. Apple crops were damaged in upper Shimla areas while vegetable crops, including peas, tomato, beans and cauliflower, were destroyed in the suburbs of Shimla, said state president of Himachal Kisan Sangh Kuldeep Singh Tanwar. Widespread rain occurred in the region, while higher reaches in tribal areas and other mountain passes had another spell of fresh snow fall causing a sharp fall in the mercury. Intermittent snowfall was continuing in high altitude tribal areas and Kalpa, Pooh, Lippa Asrang, Rohtang and Kunzam passes and the adjoining areas. As a result, sowing of potato and peas has been badly hit in tribal belt. While the farmers, who have completed sowing, are worried that excessive moisture might destroy the seeds, sowing has been suspended in some other areas. The local Met office has predicted rain and thundershowers in mid and lower hills and rain or snow in higher hills at isolated places over the next three days from tomorrow. Source - https://www.freshplaza.com/