There has been a change in the weather once again in North-West India. There has been snowfall in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh since last two days, while the rainy season has started in the plains of the valley. This has provided some relief from the heat. But the heat persists in the northern, western and eastern states and the maximum temperature has reached 42 degrees Celsius.
However, after two days, due to the effect of the Western Disturbance active in the North-West, there is a possibility of thunderstorms and strong winds in the mountains as well as in the northern plains, which may provide some relief from the heat. According to the Meteorological Department, there was heavy snowfall in the upper hilly areas of Kashmir Valley and rain in the plains on Wednesday. Due to this, the maximum temperature has come down by 10 degrees in just two days. However, the night temperature is still hot, it is 7 degrees above normal.
While the maximum temperature in Srinagar was recorded at 22.4 degrees Celsius on Monday, it was 12.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. This is 2.2 degrees less than normal. The minimum temperature increased further and was recorded at 10.5 degrees Celsius, which is 7.2 degrees more than normal. From March 12-15, there is a forecast of snow in the higher reaches and rain with strong winds in the plains.
Yellow alert of hailstorm in five districts of Himachal
Light snowfall occurred in Rohtang and Shinkula Pass in Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. After this, the administration has closed Shinkula Pass for vehicular movement as a precaution. The summer season continued due to clear weather in the plains. Five districts, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan and Mandi recorded maximum temperatures of more than 30 degrees. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert regarding hailstorm, lightning and thunderstorm with gusty winds reaching speed of 40-50 km/hr at isolated places in Chamba, Kangra and Kullu districts on March 12, 14 and 15. There is a yellow alert regarding such situation in Mandi and Shimla districts from 12-15 March.
Rajasthan and Gujarat troubled by extreme heat
In the plains, the maximum temperature was recorded between 38-42 degrees Celsius at many places in western Rajasthan and Gujarat. The mercury was recorded between 35-38 degrees Celsius in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Western Uttar Pradesh, Eastern Rajasthan, Eastern and Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Interior Karnataka and Kerala.
The night temperature is also rising…The minimum night temperature was recorded between 14-18 degrees Celsius in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, East Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, North-Eastern states, Central Maharashtra and South Interior Karnataka. At the same time, in Bihar, Ganga bank areas of West Bengal, Odisha, Gujarat and the states of South India, it was recorded between 22-27 degrees Celsius.
Chances of rain and storm
According to IMD, a cyclonic circulation is over northern Pakistan and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir. A low pressure area has formed in the lower troposphere from Bihar to North Chhattisgarh. A new Western Disturbance is likely to become active in the northwest from March 14. These weather systems may cause rain and snowfall in Himachal and Uttarakhand till March 17.
Temperature likely to drop to six degrees in Western Himalayas in next seven days
According to IMD, the maximum temperature is likely to drop by 4-6 degrees Celsius over the Western Himalayan region during the next 7 days. In central India, the maximum temperature may decrease by 3-5 degrees Celsius after the next three days. There is no significant change in maximum temperature over Northeast India during the next 24 hours and there will be a gradual decline of 3-4 degrees Celsius in the following 4 days. The maximum temperature in coastal areas of Maharashtra may drop by 2-4 degrees Celsius during the next 5 days. There is no possibility of any significant change in the maximum temperature in the remaining parts of the country.