Weather conditions across India show a mixed trend as snowfall and rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh have brought relief from rising temperatures in hill regions. Meanwhile, several plains including Rajasthan and Gujarat continue to face intense heat with temperatures crossing 40°C.
Western Disturbance to Bring Rain and Storms in North India
New Delhi: The weather in northwest India is once again experiencing a change. Continuous snowfall in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, and rain in the plains of the valley, has brought a drop in temperatures in the hilly areas, providing relief from the heat. However, heatwaves continue to linger in many plains across northern, western, and eastern India, with maximum temperatures reaching 40 to 42 degrees Celsius in many places.
According to the Meteorological Department, heavy snowfall in the upper hilly areas of the Kashmir Valley and rain in the lower areas have continued for the past two days. Consequently, the maximum temperature has dropped by about 10 degrees Celsius.
The maximum temperature in Srinagar, which was 22.4 degrees Celsius on Monday, dropped to 12.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, about 2.2 degrees below normal. The minimum temperature was 10.5 degrees Celsius, 7.2 degrees above normal. The Meteorological Department has predicted snowfall in the high altitude areas and rain with strong winds in the plains from March 12 to 15.
The weather has also changed in Himachal Pradesh. Light snowfall was recorded at Rohtang and Shinkula Passes in Lahaul-Spiti district. Following this, the administration has closed Shinkula Pass for vehicular traffic as a precautionary measure.
Maximum temperatures were recorded above 30 degrees Celsius in the plain districts of Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan, and Mandi. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for Chamba, Kangra, and Kullu districts on March 12, 14, and 15, predicting hailstorms, lightning, and strong winds of up to 40 to 50 kmph.
On the other hand, severe heat continues to affect many areas of western Rajasthan and Gujarat. Maximum temperatures here have been recorded between 38 and 42 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in several states, including Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, western Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra, also remain between 35 and 38 degrees Celsius.
Night temperatures are also increasing. Minimum temperatures in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and several northeastern states were recorded between 14 and 18 degrees Celsius, while in some areas of Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and Gujarat, they were between 22 and 27 degrees Celsius.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, a cyclonic circulation is present over northern Pakistan and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, a low-pressure area is active from Bihar to northern Chhattisgarh. A new western disturbance is expected to become active in northwest India from March 14.
Due to the influence of these weather systems, rain and snowfall may occur in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand until March 17. Whereas in the Western Himalayan region, the maximum temperature is expected to fall by 4 to 6 degrees Celsius during the next seven days.
