Rains bring down mercury in Himachal

Shimla, May 24 (IANS) Rains brought down temperatures in Himachal Pradesh on Friday, bringing cheers to thousands of tourists who have thronged the hill stations to escape the heat wave in the northern plains.

Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 12.2 degrees Celsius, a fall by five degrees from Thursday's. It recorded a maximum of 22 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

The weather department has forecast more thundershowers in the state till Saturday.

Shimla and nearby areas have been experiencing moderate rain. "The entire state saw rain, bringing the temperatures down considerably," a weatherman told IANS.

Kalpa in Kinnaur district recorded a minimum temperature of 6.9 degrees Celsius, while it was 7.6 degrees in Manali, 16 degrees in Dharamsala and 10.9 degrees in Dalhousie.