Snowfall Disrupts Normal Life in Himachal and J&K; Rainfall in Parts of North India Intensifies Winter Chill

On January 31, snowfall disrupted normal life in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, with many areas in higher reaches receiving fresh snowfall. In Himachal Pradesh, the tribal areas and high reaches experienced the first heavy snowfall of the year, resulting in the closure of 134 roads, including four national highways. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts above-normal rainfall in February across North India after experiencing a drier-than-usual December and January.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Zojila axis on the Srinagar-Leh highway witnessed fresh snowfall in higher reaches, while the plains were lashed by rains. Delhi experienced bone-chilling cold as light rainfall occurred, bringing down the maximum temperature to 18.6 degrees Celsius. The Uttarakhand MeT department issued a yellow alert for heavy rain, snowfall, and thunderstorms in the state’s hilly areas. Most parts of the country are likely to witness above-normal minimum temperatures in February, according to IMD forecasts, while below-normal cold wave days are expected in some parts of central India.