Avalanche warning in J&K; rain likely in Delhi
What's the story
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that Delhi and its neighboring states and union territories will receive light rainfall on Monday.
Meanwhile, heavy snowfall has hit normal life in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The IMD has issued an avalanche warning for hilly areas of the Kashmir Valley, urging residents to avoid unnecessary movement for 24 hours.
The weather office has also issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall/snowfall in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The extreme weather conditions bring with them fears of travel disruptions in North India.
On Sunday, several flights to Srinagar were canceled due to the heavy snowfall. The vehicular traffic was also halted on multiple key highways in Himachal Pradesh and J&K.
In January, reports of passenger woes due to flight delays amid dense fog made headlines, leading the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to issue standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the airlines.
Twitter Post
Border Roads Organisation (BRO) clears snow on Kashmir road
#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: BRO 122 RCC clearing snow between Gagangeer to Sonamarg road in Ganderbal.
— ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2024
(Source: BRO) pic.twitter.com/ZKSFO4UmVc
Travel hit
Airlines issue advisory for passengers traveling to Srinagar, Leh
The plains of Kashmir have witnessed moderate snowfall, while the higher reaches have recorded heavy snowfall; after a dry spell in January.
The snowfall has led to a drop in minimum temperatures in most areas. The weather is expected to improve from Tuesday, the IMD said.
Meanwhile, low-cost airline IndiGo has issued an advisory for passengers traveling to Srinagar and Leh.
Twitter Post
Read IndiGo's advisory here
#6ETravelAdvisory: Due to prevailing bad weather flight operations in #Srinagar and #Leh are impacted. Please keep a check on your flight status at https://t.co/RR9UdacLt7 before leaving for the airport.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) February 4, 2024
Cold wave
Helicopter service to Vaishno Devi Temple affected
According to reports, the Ramsu-Banihal-Srinagar stretch of the national highway also experienced snowfall, impacting the helicopter service to the Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra, J&K.
Snowfall was also reported in Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Doda, and the upper reaches of Reasi districts.
Despite the end of the 40-day harshest winter period "Chillai-i-Kalan", the region continues to experience a cold wave during the 20-day "Chilla-i-Khurd" (small cold), followed by a 10-day "Chilla-i-Bachha" (baby cold).
Northeast India
Avalanche warning in Arunachal Pradesh
Heavy snowfall was also seen in Arunachal Pradesh.
The border towns of the state received several feet of snowfall, with authorities sounding an avalanche warning.
Furthermore, district administrations have issued alerts to travelers, commuters and residents asking them to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary stepping out during period of heavy snowfall.
Reports also said that dozens of trucks and vehicles have been stranded in and around the Sella Pass.
Weather update
Rainfall, thunderstorms, dense fog conditions expected in these states
The IMD has predicted light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas of north Madhya Pradesh, east Rajasthan, east Uttar Pradesh, and west Uttar Pradesh.
Isolated to scattered rainfall is also expected over West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura till Wednesday. A hailstorm is predicted in Sikkim on Monday.
Dense to very dense fog conditions are likely during morning hours in parts of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi on Monday, the weather department said.