Shimla, Oct. 6 -- Heavy rain lashed the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, on Monday, leading to a sudden drop in temperature and eliciting mixed reactions from visiting tourists. While some visitors expressed disappointment over disrupted sightseeing plans, others found joy in experiencing the hill station's chilly monsoon charm.

The rain, which began early in the day, drenched popular tourist spots such as The Ridge, Mall Road, and Kufri, leaving the streets glistening and traffic moving at a sluggish pace. Umbrella-clad tourists and the sight of drenched pines gave the town an early wintry feel, well ahead of the actual winter season.

"We didn't expect this kind of weather at all," said Rohit, a visitor from Haryana. "It has b...