Brisk showers, accompanied by thunder, lashed parts of the state this afternoon. These not only provided much-needed relief from the oppressive heat, but also helped douse numerous forest fires raging in mid and lower hill areas of the state. The showers lasting for almost two hours caused the mercury to plummet and also cleared the haze created by layers of smoke and dust. Some pockets in higher areas were lashed by a hailstorm. Tourists, who were disappointed with the unusually warm weather in the Queen of Hills with mercury soaring to 31°C yesterday, were pleasantly surprised by the sudden change with the maximum temperature dipping to 26.5°C. Una recorded the highest temperature in the state at 39.6°C, down 5°C from that Sunday. However, the tribal district of Kinnaur remained dry with Kalpa recording the highest temperature of the season at 27.4°C. Bhuntar in Kullu had a high of 35.6°C, Nahan 31.8°C, Solan 31.8°C and Sundernagar 34°C. The rain came in the nick of time as the state Cabinet, which met here today, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, had taken note of the high incidence of forest fires and directed the authorities to visit the affected forests and take effective action.