After an unusually dry winter, northern hill states and the plains of North India are poised to receive much-needed rainfall and snowfall, as forecasted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD has issued alerts for snow and rain across J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, effective for the next six days. The highest precipitation is expected on Wednesday and Thursday, marking the first significant rainfall in the region this year.
“This will be the first spell of rain in North India this year,” stated IMD Chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra. The winter season had witnessed only a brief episode of rain in December, which did not impact the hills. The current western disturbances are anticipated to bring the first major and widespread snowfall to the Himalayan region, significantly influencing the winter landscape.
The significance of this upcoming weather pattern is underscored by its potential impact on the ecology of the hill states. Winter snowfall is crucial for maintaining the hill ecology and water sources, while winter rain is essential for agriculture and temperature regulation in the plains. The anticipated snowfall holds importance for the water sources and glaciers that play a pivotal role in supplying water to both the hills and the plains of North India.
Dense fog continues to be a concern for North India, as per the IMD update, with warnings of dense fog in the morning hours over certain areas in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi on Wednesday, as well as on February 2 and 3. However, relief is anticipated around February 5, with strong northerly winds expected to break the fog spell while simultaneously reducing night temperatures.
As the region braces for this long-awaited precipitation, the impact on local ecology, water supply, and agricultural activities remains at the forefront of everyone’s minds. The upcoming days are crucial, and communities in these regions eagerly await the positive effects of this much-needed change in weather patterns.
