Hills and plains of North and North-West India are coming to grips with a regime of heavy weather triggered principally by a rare low-pressure area (‘low’) crossing into West Rajasthan from across the international border.
During the 24 hours ending 8.30 am today, heavy rain and snow occurred at isolated places over Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
Thunderstorms were observed in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, North Rajasthan and East Uttar Pradesh.
The 'low' sped ahead of its parent, a large western disturbance, located lately to over North Pakistan, and waiting to cross in on the heels of the offspring 'low.'
The 'low' has not shown any signs of weakening, as inferred from an afternoon update on the weather situation by India Met Department.
It will combine with the parent western disturbance to spark off avalanches in the snow-bound Himalayas, and heavy rain, thundershowers, squalls and wind gusts along the plains over the next three days.
The proceedings might extend until March 20 since a follow-up western disturbance is forecast to grind its way into North-West India by March 16.
AVALANCHE WARNING
The Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment, part of the Defence Research and Development based in Chandigarh, had issued yesterday an avalanche warning for higher areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, asking people not to venture in these areas over the next 48 hours.
A ‘medium danger’ avalanche warning exists for areas above 3,000 m in Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipur, Kargil, Shopian, Anantnag, Kulgam, Rajauri, Doda and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir, the advisory said.
For Himachal Pradesh, a ‘medium danger’ avalanche warning exists for Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu, Chamba and Kinnaur districts lying at the same altitude.
A similar warning has been issued for areas of Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Pithoragarh districts in Uttarakhand.
“People are advised not to venture in avalanche prone areas over next 48 hours,” the advisory said.