Contrasting weather in India

Heavy rains and hailstorms have damaged fruit crops in Himachal Pradesh, in the far north of India. This part of India has been experiencing severe thunderstorms recently and orchard owners are expecting heavy losses due to the sudden rainfall and even snow in some parts.

The unexpected weather has destroyed flowers that were beginning to bloom on the fruit trees. Apple, apricot and almond trees are now left bereft as the blooms lie scattered on the ground, destroyed by hail stones and rain.

Meanwhile several people are reported to have died after having been struck by lightning in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Thunderstorms have been in the area since the end of last week and more storms are predicted for the region in the coming days.

Further south on the east coast, people in parts of Orissa, preferred to remain indoors over the weekend as the mercury hovered around 40 Celsius (104F), a few degrees above the average for this time of year. The state capital Bhubaneswar recorded a high of 39.4 Celsius (103F) on Saturday and local weather offices reported a few places with temperatures over 40 Celsius. The Indian Met Office (IMD) predicts that the heatwave conditions will persist for at least another 24 hours.

Measures have been put in place to prevent health related issues such as labourers directed not to work between the hours of 1100 and 1500

_{©BBC Weather Centre}