Life comes to a standstill as rain and snow lash North India | Watch Videos
At Srinagar airport, snow accumulation of up to four inches led to the cancellation of all flights scheduled for Friday
PTC Web Desk: Weather conditions across large parts of north India have changed sharply with the activation of a western disturbance. Several states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, have been witnessing rainfall since late night, accompanied by strong winds. The spell has led to a noticeable drop in temperatures in many districts.
In the Himalayan region, rain and snowfall have begun, marking a significant shift in weather patterns. Himachal Pradesh’s popular hill stations, Shimla and Manali, recorded the season’s first snowfall, bringing an end to a prolonged dry spell that had lasted for over three and a half months.
Snowfall continues across both plains and mountainous districts of Jammu and Kashmir. At Srinagar airport, snow accumulation of up to four inches led to the cancellation of all flights scheduled for Friday. The Srinagar–Jammu national highway has also been closed due to adverse conditions.
Traffic has been halted near the Navyug Tunnel, while the Mughal Road and Sinthan Pass remain shut. In Katra, the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage has been suspended due to snowfall. Authorities have ordered the closure of schools in Rajouri, Poonch and Kathua districts as a precautionary measure.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast that a second strong western disturbance is likely to become active on January 26. This system may bring rainfall to nine states in north India and fresh snowfall in the hill states.
A western disturbance is a weather system that originates in the west and moves eastward, carrying moisture-laden winds and clouds. Its activation often results in snowfall in mountainous regions and rainfall in the plains, along with falling temperatures, frost and cold wave conditions.
Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, the police successfully rescued 12 persons, including women and children, who were stranded due to heavy snowfall. The group had been trapped in the Chochru Galla area after weather conditions deteriorated.
An emergency call was received at a police post in Sangh, located about 12 km from the affected area. Rescue teams were immediately deployed, and after a challenging three-hour operation, police personnel reached the location and safely evacuated all stranded individuals.