Dharamshala, April 3 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Shimla office has predicted rain and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh till April 8 and the maximum temperatures are likely to drop in the coming few days. According to the weather office, light to moderate rain and snowfall is likely at many places over the state on April 3, 4 and 8. Light to moderate rain and snowfall is expected at a few places over the state on April 5, 6 and 7. A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect Northwest India from April 7. The weather office has also sounded an orange alert for hailstorms, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds on April 3 in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts. A similar alert has been sounded for April 4 as well in these districts excluding Chamba. Himachal Pradesh has received 56th highest rainfall in March since 1901. The State received normal precipitation (-17%) with 93.6 mm actual rainfall against 113.4 mm normal rainfall during the month. Una, Bilaspur, Mandi, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur received excess precipitation; Kangra, Kullu and Hamirpur received normal precipitation; and Chamba, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts received deficient precipitation in March. The highest rainfall ever recorded in the month of March since 1901 was recorded in the year 1948 (382 mm). No significant change in minimum temperatures is likely over the state during the next 3-4 days, while the maximum temperatures are likely to fall by 3-5 degrees during the next 3-4 days. During the last 24 hours, light rain and snowfall was observed at isolated places in the state with no significant change in minimum temperatures. The minimum temperatures were normal to near normal at many stations and below normal by 2-4 degrees at a few stations. The maximum temperatures, however, witnessed an appreciable rise during the last 24 hours. On Thursday, the average maximum temperatures were normal in the state. According to the IMD's seasonal outlook, there is moderate to high probability (45-75%) that the mean minimum temperatures are very likely to be above normal over most parts of Himachal Pradesh during April to June (summer season)....