Western disturbance triggers rain across North India, snowfall across Kashmir and Himachal
PTC Web Desk: A sudden change in weather conditions swept across large parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) early Friday morning as light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds, brought much-needed relief from unseasonably warm conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said cloudy skies are likely to persist throughout the day, with intermittent spells of rain expected in several areas.
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Light to moderate rainfall accompanied with ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? moderate ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????? (4????-6???? ????????p???? ????????????????????… pic.twitter.com/IIL22XihPd — India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) January 22, 2026
At 4.50 am, the IMD issued an orange alert for Delhi, warning of short-duration but intense showers coupled with moderate thunderstorm activity. According to the weather office, multiple pockets of the city may experience sudden bursts of rain along with lightning and fast-moving winds, creating potentially hazardous conditions during early morning hours.
#WATCH | Gusty winds and light rain in Delhi as IMD predicts light rain in the national capital pic.twitter.com/XML2pHQaIA — ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2026
#WATCH | Delhi wakes up to light rain; IMD predicts the city to witness light rain accompanied by thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds today
Visuals from Kartavya Path, where full-dress rehearsal for Republic Day is scheduled to take place today pic.twitter.com/tC6tIK6Lz1 — ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2026
Areas likely to be affected
The regions expected to witness rainfall and thunderstorms include Narela, Bawana, Alipur, Burari, Kanjhawala, Rohini, Badli, Model Town, Azadpur, Pitampura, Mundka, Paschim Vihar, Punjabi Bagh, Rajouri Garden, Jaffarpur, Najafgarh, and Dwarka. Wind speeds during the stormy spells are likely to touch 30–40 kmph, the IMD said.
Weather officials noted that the rainfall activity is being driven by an active western disturbance, which is influencing weather patterns across northern India. Further spells of rain are likely later in the afternoon, with occasional thunder and lightning.
#WATCH | J&K's picturesque Bhaderwah valley received fresh snowfall this morning. The snowfall brought a sharp dip in temperatures, while locals welcomed the fresh spell of snow.
Bhaderwah Police and the district administration have issued helpline numbers and advised people to… pic.twitter.com/cOz969IOoD — ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2026
Temperature set to drop sharply
The showers are expected to cause a significant dip in temperatures across the capital. On Thursday, Delhi recorded its warmest January day in seven years, with the maximum temperature soaring to 27.1 degrees Celsius. However, the IMD forecast indicates a sharp fall, with Friday’s maximum temperature expected to remain around 19 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may settle near 12 degrees Celsius.
Meteorologists said the sudden cooling, combined with rain and wind, is likely to intensify the chill, especially during evening and nighttime hours.
Fresh snowfall in Kashmir Valley
Meanwhile, winter tightened its grip on the Kashmir Valley, where fresh snowfall was reported in higher reaches, including the renowned ski destination Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Officials said snowfall began late Thursday evening as the western disturbance intensified over the region.
Strong winds swept through Srinagar and adjoining plains, worsening cold conditions. Authorities warned that the ongoing snowfall may lead to further disruptions.
Due to adverse weather, Srinagar Airport stated that flight operations could take longer than usual to return to normal. Rail services were also impacted, while the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, a vital lifeline for the Valley, remained blocked at several locations due to snow accumulation.
Manali in Himachal Pradesh covered in snow
In Himachal Pradesh, popular hill stations such as Manali witnessed fresh snowfall, covering the region in a thick white blanket. The snowfall led to a sharp drop in temperatures and heightened winter conditions, attracting tourists but also posing challenges for local transportation.
Alerts issued across North India
The IMD has issued orange alerts for thunderstorms, rainfall, and snowfall across Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and parts of Himachal Pradesh. In Uttarakhand, districts, including Uttarkashi, Dehradun, Rudraprayag and Chamoli are likely to receive heavy rain and snowfall, while Bageshwar and Pithoragarh may also witness precipitation.
A yellow alert has been issued for remaining districts due to the possibility of hailstorms, lightning, and strong winds. Weather experts said the fresh spell of rain and snow could bring relief from prolonged dry conditions and help reduce the risk of forest fires in hill regions.
Air quality improves slightly in Delhi-NCR
Delhi’s air quality showed marginal improvement following the rainfall but continued to remain in the ‘very poor’ category. The city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 302, while Noida registered 293 and Gurugram reported 272, both falling under the ‘poor’ category.
According to the Air Quality and Weather Forecasting System (AQWS), air quality in the region is likely to remain ‘moderate’ on January 23 and 24, before deteriorating again to the ‘poor’ category on January 25.
In view of the improving trend, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. However, restrictions under Stages I and II will continue to remain in force to prevent further deterioration.
- With inputs from agencies
