Key Points:
- 48-hour severe alert issued by IMD for January 27-28 across North India
- Western Disturbance to bring heavy snowfall to J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand
- Heavy rainfall expected in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry along with Himalayan states
- Temperature drop of 2-3 degrees Celsius likely across northern plains
- Delhi may receive rain on January 27 with minimum temperature dropping to 4°C
- Cold wave conditions to affect Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Bihar
The India Meteorological Department has sounded a severe weather warning for North India, predicting a fresh Western Disturbance will unleash heavy snowfall across the Himalayan region and widespread rainfall in the plains between January 27 and 28. The meteorological agency has identified the next 48 hours as crucial, with the weather system expected to disrupt daily life, impact transportation, and pose potential health risks due to plummeting temperatures.
Himalayan States Brace for Heavy Snowfall
Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are at the center of this weather onslaught. The IMD has forecast moderate to heavy snowfall in these states during the 48 hours, with isolated heavy precipitation likely on January 27. In Jammu and Kashmir, the Srinagar-Jammu national highway has already faced closures due to recent snow accumulation, with Gulmarg receiving over two feet of fresh snow and Sonamarg recording six inches. The weather department has warned of continuous rain and snowfall for 48 hours starting January 27 in the region, with extremely poor conditions expected in Srinagar, Gulmarg, Poonch, and Reasi.
Himachal Pradesh is similarly preparing for intense weather activity. Heavy rain and snowfall are anticipated in Shimla, Manali, Kullu, and Kangra, with temperatures in Manali potentially reaching minus 12 degrees Celsius. The state capital, Shimla, recently experienced its first snowfall after a three-month dry spell, and the impending Western Disturbance promises to intensify winter conditions further. Strong winds with speeds of 40 to 60 km per hour are also likely during this period, potentially causing additional disruptions.
Uttarakhand will see rain and snowfall in the higher reaches between January 27 and 28, accompanied by strong winds. The IMD has indicated that temperatures in Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Nainital, and Pithoragarh may drop by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius, making conditions particularly severe in these districts.
Plains to Experience Widespread Rainfall and Cold Wave
The influence of the Western Disturbance extends well beyond the mountains into the Indo-Gangetic plains. The IMD has issued warnings of moderate to heavy rainfall for most parts of Uttar Pradesh on January 27 and 28, with weather conditions expected to worsen in Meerut, Noida, Ghaziabad, Saharanpur, Aligarh, Mathura, Agra, Moradabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Pilibhit. The temperature drop will intensify the cold wave conditions already affecting the region.
In Delhi, residents face renewed troubles as the capital may experience rain again on January 27. The IMD forecasts cold winds during morning and evening hours, with the minimum temperature potentially dropping to 4 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature hovers around 17 degrees Celsius. While recent rains have provided some relief from poor air quality, the combination of cold and humidity has increased discomfort levels among the population.
North India will experience widespread cold wave conditions, with severe cold expected in the morning across several districts including Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Kanpur, Raebareli, Agra, Mathura, Aligarh, Rampur, and Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh. In Haryana, cold winds will affect Gurugram and Sonipat, while Punjab will experience cold winds with speeds of 10 to 15 km per hour in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Patiala, and Mohali.
Southern States Also on Alert
Interestingly, the weather system’s impact extends to southern India as well. The IMD has warned of heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, making it a total of five states under heavy rain alerts. This demonstrates the far-reaching influence of the current weather pattern across the Indian subcontinent.
Bihar and Other Regions Face Fog and Cold
Bihar will face challenging conditions in the next 24 hours, with cloudy conditions expected in Patna, Saran, Bhojpur, Gaya, and Champaran. Dense fog in Purnea, Kishanganj, Araria, and Katihar may increase difficulties for residents, while the morning cold wave will affect daily life. The weather in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh remains relatively normal for now, but some changes may be observed in certain areas over the next 48 hours, with cold winds blowing during morning and evening hours and a slight drop in temperature possible.
Travel and Safety Advisories
The IMD has advised travelers to exercise caution, particularly in the Himalayan region, where road connectivity may be affected by fresh snow accumulation in mountain passes. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has already experienced disruptions, and the impending heavy snowfall could trigger further localized disruptions in transport and daily life. Tourists planning to visit hill stations are urged to stay updated with local weather forecasts and avoid unnecessary travel during the peak intensity of the weather system on January 27.
