Snowfall on the mountains…
– Photo : amar ujala
Expansion
The weather patterns have once again deteriorated in the western Himalayan regions and the plains of North India. In Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, there is heavy snowfall in the higher reaches and torrential rain in the plains, which is likely to occur for the next three days. A warning of heavy rains along with thunderstorms has been issued in the plain states including Punjab, Haryana and Delhi from Monday. Due to change in weather the minimum temperature has also declined.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that a new western disturbance has become active. Due to its effect, the weather will remain bad in Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh till 21 February. A red alert has been issued indicating the possibility of heavy rain, snowfall and thunderstorm in these areas on Monday.
There is a possibility of hailstorm in Uttarakhand…There is a possibility of rain in most areas of Uttarakhand on 19 and 20 February and snowfall in high altitude areas along with strong wind and lightning. Hail may also fall in some areas. During this period, there is a possibility of strong winds along with light rain at some places in North West and North East Rajasthan and North West Madhya Pradesh.
Punjab, Haryana
Moderate rain may occur at some places in Punjab and many places in Haryana on 19 and 20 February. There may be thunderstorms and lightning in some areas. At the same time, there is a possibility of wind blowing at a speed of 45-50 km per hour in some areas. There is a possibility of hailstorm at some places in both these states as well as Chandigarh. IMD has issued orange alert for Monday and yellow alert for Tuesday.
Jammu and Kashmir
Vehicular movement has been closed on the Srinagar-Leh highway due to heavy snowfall in Baltal in Ganderbal district. The Border Roads Organization is busy removing snow from the road. The organization has also shared a video of the latest snowfall on social media. Pir Punjab area in Poonch district of the Union Territory also received fresh snowfall. There has also been snowfall in Gurez Valley of Bandipora district of Kashmir. The Meteorological Department has already issued a warning of heavy to very heavy snowfall for three days. Fresh snow has also fallen in the tourist destination Sonamarg. At the same time, there has been heavy rain in Udhampur.
Snowfall in Rohtang, Koksar
Due to the activity of western disturbance, snowfall continued on the high peaks of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday. Amidst the orange alert, there has been 15 cm fresh snowfall in 13,050 feet high Rohtang Pass, 5 cm in Koksar and 2 cm in Sissu. Snowfall continues around Atal Tunnel Rohtang, Solangnala, Baralacha, Shikunla Pass, Chitkul and other peaks.
Tourists heading to the valley
Due to snowfall, tourists have once again turned to the valley. Preparations have also been completed for the Khelo India Winter Games to be held in Gulmarg. Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Vijay Kumar Bidhuri said that we were eagerly waiting for the snowfall. Ever since the Public Works Department has been reorganized, now everything is decentralized so our strength has also increased. Now we clear the roads as soon as the snowfall stops.