Shimla, April 6 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for hailstorms and heavy rainfall in five districts of Himachal Pradesh over the next two days and also warned of intensified weather activity under the influence of an approaching western disturbance.

According to the Meteorological Centre Shimla, districts of Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Chamba and Kangra are likely to witness hailstorms accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.

"Weather activity will intensify from the evening of April 7 under the influence of a fresh western disturbance, bringing widespread rain and hailstorm activity across Himachal Pradesh till April 8," said Sandeep Kumar Sharma, Senior Scientist at IMD Himachal Pradesh. ...