A western disturbance has significantly changed weather conditions across northwest India, bringing rain, snowfall, thunderstorms, and hailstorms. States including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan have witnessed sudden temperature drops and strong winds.
Weather Turns Wild in Northwest India as Storms and Rain Lash Region
New Delhi: The activation of a western disturbance has brought a sudden change in the weather in northwest India. While the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh experienced heavy snowfall, the plains received rainfall. Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan also experienced thunderstorms and strong winds. Hailstorms also occurred in many areas, bringing temperatures down by about 5 degrees and providing relief from the heat.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), one western disturbance has been active since April 2, while the second will begin its impact on April 7. The first system is expected to bring isolated rain, strong winds, and hailstorms from April 4 to 9. The activation of the second disturbance will bring a change in weather conditions, bringing relief from the heat.
The weather in Jammu and Kashmir suddenly changed on Friday afternoon. Rain fell in many plains, including Srinagar, while snowfall was recorded in higher elevations. Srinagar's maximum temperature was 17.3 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees below normal. The Meteorological Department has warned that landslides, flash floods, and waterlogging in low-lying areas are possible during this period.
Light to moderate rain accompanied by thundershowers occurred in several areas of Rajasthan during the last 24 hours. Padmapur in Sriganganagar recorded 11.5 mm of rain. According to the Meteorological Department, the intensity of rainfall may decrease on April 5 and 6, but a new western disturbance expected to activate on April 7 is likely to bring heavy rain and thunderstorms again.
Amid an orange alert in Himachal Pradesh, snow fell on the peaks of Rohtang, Bharmour, Lahaul, and Manali. Bharmour recorded about 7 cm of snowfall. Light rain occurred in Shimla, Hamirpur, and Kangra. An orange alert has been issued for thunderstorms and hailstorms in the Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla districts of the state. The inclement weather also disrupted power supply and closed roads in some areas.
A teenager was killed and two other children were injured after being struck by lightning in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district. The incident occurred while the children were playing cricket on a field. An orange alert has been issued for strong winds (50–60 km/h) and hailstorms in the state.
According to the Meteorological Department, the weather in northwest India will remain the same until April 7. People have been advised to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel during this inclement weather.
