Early snowfall and heavy rain grip North India; Punjab records 415% surplus rainfall, yellow alert issued
PTC Web Desk: Unseasonal snowfall and incessant rainfall have marked an early onset of winter in North India, causing widespread concern among farmers and triggering weather alerts across several states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for districts along the eastern edge of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand as western disturbances continue to prevail over the region.
According to IMD forecasts, light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds with speeds of 30–40 kmph is expected across several parts of Punjab on Tuesday. Districts including Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahar, Ropar, Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Patiala are likely to receive relatively heavy rainfall, while western Punjab may see light showers.
A similar alert has been sounded for northern, central, and southern Haryana. Western districts such as Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani, and Charkhi Dadri may witness isolated rainfall.
Parts of Himachal Pradesh, including upper reaches of Lahaul and Spiti, received the season’s first snowfall over the past two days. Many other areas have also reported significant rainfall. IMD data indicates that most parts of the hill state are likely to see light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning on October 7, while light rain may continue at isolated places on October 8.
Officials have noted a sharp post-monsoon surge in rainfall across North India. As of October 6, Punjab recorded a 415% surplus, while Himachal Pradesh and Haryana registered 248% and 129% above-normal rainfall, respectively. The surplus precipitation has brought down temperatures significantly and added to farmers’ worries as paddy harvesting season coincides with the wet spell.
The ongoing rainfall spell, expected to ease by October 8, has implications for major reservoirs, where water levels are being maintained below the permissible upper limit to accommodate possible inflows.
In August–September, the Pong Dam witnessed unprecedented inflows, with water levels remaining five feet above the upper limit for several weeks due to heavy rains. This year, the Bhakra Dam has maintained levels below its upper limit.
According to IMD data, rainfall till October 6 has been exceptionally high in the Pong catchment areas — Kullu (5,353%), Mandi (1,963%), and Kangra (1,367%). While Kinnaur recorded a 73% rainfall deficit, Shimla (554%) and Bilaspur (1,417%) have received excessive rainfall.
The Sutlej river, originating in Tibet, flows through Kinnaur, Shimla, Mandi, and Bilaspur before entering Punjab, while the Ravi river flows through Kangra, Chamba, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, and Amritsar before entering Pakistan. These regions, too, have experienced heavy rains this month, raising inflows into Thein Dam and other reservoirs.
The IMD expects the current wet spell to subside by midweek, but its impact on agriculture and water management is likely to linger across North India.
- With inputs from agencies
