Shimla: Himachal Pradesh received a record 325 per cent rainfall and the Mercury plummeted to an all time low over the last seven days, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said on Wednesday.

The official said the western disturbance caused record rainfall from May 24 to 30. During the period Sirmaur district had 877 percent more rain, Similarly, there was 797 percent excess rainfall in Solan and 491 percent in Hamirpur.

Rain and coldwave in May had broken all the previous records. In seven days, ie from May 24 to 30, there have been 325 percent more rain than normal. Similarly, from May 1 to 30, the state experienced 84 percent more rain than normal, the official said.

IMD has issued an orange alert for Wednesday and a yellow alert for the next three days. There is no possibility of getting relief from rain in the mountains for the next five days.

A warning of hailstorms and thunderstorms lashing with a speed of 30 to 40 km per hour was also issued in the state during the day.

It has been raining in many areas of the state since Tuesday night, while in Shimla it is raining well since Wednesday morning.

Due to this, there is a continuous drop in temperature. People in higher areas are lighting bonfires to avoid the cold.

The minimum temperature of Keylong has dropped to 4.8 degrees Celsius, Kalpa 7.8 degrees Celsius, Shimla 13.5 degrees Celsius, Kukumasiri 7.5 degrees Celsius, Bharmour 10 degrees Celsius and Narkanda 9 degrees Celsius.

(With UNI inputs)