The weather office has issued an orange alert for Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, warning of hail, heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph. Light to moderate rain with occasional heavy spells is expected across most parts of the state from October 6 to 8, the Shimla weather station said.

Six districts are under the alert: Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur and Lahaul and Spiti. A yellow alert is in place for October 7 across nine districts, including Shimla and Solan.

The wet spell follows the southwest monsoon’s withdrawal from the state at the end of September. A fresh western disturbance is driving the change in weather.

Nationally, the IMD expects fairly widespread rain with thunderstorms and lightning over northwest India through October 7. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Uttarakhand on Tuesday.

Isolated hailstorms are also possible over Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Uttarakhand. Residents have been advised to stay indoors during thunderstorms and avoid travel to higher reaches.