Shimla, May 31 -- Pleasant weather, cloudy skies and lower temperatures have led to a surge in tourist arrivals across Himachal Pradesh, with popular destinations such as Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie and Kasauli witnessing heavy footfall during the ongoing summer season.

Tourists from several states, particularly those reeling under an intense heatwave, are flocking to the hill state to enjoy the cool climate, scenic landscapes and intermittent rainfall.

Dev Karya, a medical student from Gujarat, said the change in weather was a welcome relief from the extreme heat back home.

"Temperatures back home are currently hovering between 40 to 45 degrees Celsius. We arrived here yesterday evening and were greeted by rain and beautifu...