A view of fresh snowfall at Tangmarg in Baramulla district in north Kashmir
(Bilal Bahadur/BCCL)
Monday 19 February: After a relatively dry first half of February – thanks to an apparent lack of western disturbances – northern India is expected to receive its strongest spells of rain and snow since the beginning of the year.
This change in pace was caused by the development of not one, but two Western Disturbances – Mediterranean storms that dump rain on northern India – near Pakistan. The impact of these severe systems is expected to cause rain, snow, thunder, lightning and hail in many parts of the western Himalayan region until Wednesday, predicts the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Strong start to the week, according to IMD forecasts Very heavy rain (115.6 mm – 204.5 mm) to hit some places of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on Monday (February 19). Depending on the elevation, some of these parts may also see heavy snowfall during this forecast period.
In addition, isolated Heavy rain or snowfall It will be on the cards for Uttarakhand on Monday and Wednesday (February 19 and 21), and for Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad and Himachal Pradesh from Monday to Wednesday (February 19-21). some Hail storm activity Possible over Jammu and Himachal on Monday and Uttarakhand till Tuesday (February 19-20).
Moving away from the core Himalayan states, the IMD also expects light to moderate rains to inundate some parts of northern Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh from Monday to Wednesday, and eastern Uttar Pradesh from Tuesday to Thursday (February 20). -22). Aside from plain ol' showers, Thunderstorms With sprinkles of lightning and gusty winds it can also add to the rainy drama during this time.
But that's not all – some parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and North Rajasthan can also have an experience of their own. Snow storms Monday and Tuesday, with the same forecast in Western Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday.
Rain/snow forecast for 3 days Monday through Thursday morning
(TWC Met Team)
Combined, these climate problems have prompted the IMD to place Jammu Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on the risk list. Red warning (meaning “to take action”) on Monday, along with Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Punjab and the combined subdivision of Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on Orange alert (meaning “be prepared”). By Tuesday, A.J Orange alert It will loom over all these areas.
Many parts of North India have already started witnessing this change in weather over the weekend itself. According to PTI, snowfall and light rain lashed several districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. Apart from the drop in temperatures, this fresh layer of snow has helped provide the perfect settings for the famous Sonamarg National Snowshoe Championships, which are currently being conducted at the hill station.
However, it remains to be seen whether the current period will pull Jammu and Kashmir out of its fiscal deficit. So far, the Union Territory has received only 41 mm of rainfall, 44% less than the normal of 73 mm. While Uttar Pradesh (13 mm compared to the normal 10 mm) and Delhi (21 mm compared to the normal 13 mm) recorded increases, Himachal (61 mm), Uttarakhand (35 mm), Punjab (14 mm) and Rajasthan (3 mm). Haryana received only 12 mm of normal to near-normal rainfall accumulation from February 1 to 18.
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