Delhi gets year’s first rain
The weather gods finally turned benevolent, as widespread rainfall drenched north India-including the national Capital and adjoining areas-on Friday. The downpour ended a prolonged dry spell, bringing the region its first winter rains amid thunderstorms and gusty winds from an active western disturbance.
While soldiers marched along the Kartavya Path in Delhi in soaked uniforms and boots for full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day parade even as steady rain and thunder delayed proceedings on the ceremonial boulevard, office goers battled cold and congestion when peak-hour rain brought.
People living in the NCR breathed in fresh, cold air with pollutants washed away. The first winter rainfall led to sighs of relief to those cultivating rabi crops such as wheat, mustard, gram and sugarcane and whoops of delight from tourists in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir preparing for a long holiday weekend.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), an active western disturbance is influencing the region, bringing cloudy skies and rain on Friday.
In Delhi, a long spell of dry winter weather finally ended when the city recorded its first rain of the year, bringing a brief relief from high pollution levels in the city. The rain across Delhi-NCR is set to bring the temperature down again over the next 24 hours, according to the India Meteorological Department.
“A fresh wet spell with Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall/snowfall over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on 27th and scattered rainfall/snowfall on 28th January. Isolated heavy rainfall/snowfall also likely over Jammu-Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh 27th January and isolated to scattered light to moderate scattered rainfall over adjoining plains of northwest India during the same period. Fall in minimum temperatures by 3-5°C over Northwest India during next 24 hours; no significant change during next 2 days and gradual rise by 2-4°C during subsequent 3 days. Gradual fall in minimum temperatures by 2-4°C over Central India during next 3 days and gradual rise by 23°C during subsequent 4 days,” the IMD said.
According to the weather office, night temperatures may drop by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius across the plains of northwest India as cold winds move in after the season’s first major snowfall in the region.
While soldiers marched along the Kartavya Path in soaked uniforms and boots for full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day parade, office goers battled cold and congestion when peak-hour rain brought Some office-goers also uploaded videos of waterlogged roads. One of the users uploaded a video of her autorickshaw wading its way through a waterlogged road. At Kartavya Path, marching columns of soldiers in soaked uniforms and wet boots held the full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day parade even though steady rain and thunder delayed proceedings at the ceremonial boulevard. People who came to watch the rehearsal remained seated even as the rain continued. Many used umbrellas, caps and plastic sheets to protect themselves, while others adjusted their seating and belongings as the rain passed.
In north India, temperatures plummeted with the unseasonal snow and rainfall on friday. It led to sighs of relief from farmers in many and whoops of delight from tourists in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir preparing for a long holiday weekend. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand received received its first snowfall of this winter, ending a nearly three-month-long dry spell and bringing cheers to the tourists and turning the hill state into a winter wonderland.
Fresh snowfall in most parts of Jammu and Kashmir led to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, suspension of Mata Vaishno Devi yatra and cancellation of over 20 flights in Kashmir. The famous skiing resort of Gulmarg received over two feet of fresh snow, while the Sonamarg tourist resort in Ganderbal district recorded over six inches, and the Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district around three inches, they said.
Moderate to heavy snowfall was recorded in many areas in Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara Shopian, Pulwama, and Bandipora districts, while Anantnag and Kulgam districts received light to moderate snow, they added.
Himachal Pradesh also received its first snowfall of this winter, ending a nearly three-month-long dry spell and bringing cheers to the tourists and turning the hill state into a winter wonderland. Tourists seen enjoying the snow at famous tourist spots. Some users on X, posting videos of the fresh snowfall, suggested tourists to drive slowly on the road
According to Shimla Meteorological Centre, Kothi village near Manali received 15 cm, the highest in the state. Similarly, Gondla, Kukumseri and Hansa villages in the tribal district, Lahaul and Spiti received 12 cm, 6.8 cm and 5 cm snowfall, respectively. Jubbal in Shimla district recorded 6 cm, Manali 4.8 cm, Keylong and Kufri received 4 cm each, and Shimla received 0.6 cm of snow. The MeT has predicted that the higher reaches of the state will continue to receive snowfall till January 24, while other areas are expected to remain dry.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, in a post on X, said this snowfall will prove “beneficial for water sources and the upcoming agricultural and horticultural season”. “Farmers and horticulturists in the region have received significant relief from the snowfall that occurred after a prolonged dry spell. Heartfelt thanks to God for this natural blessing,” he said. He also appealed tourists and locals to remain vigilant in the changing weather.
Snowfall in higher reaches and rain in low-lying areas of Uttarakhand ended a long dry spell and intensified the cold wave. Fresh snowfall covered Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Auli, Mussoorie, Chakrata, Dhanaulti and Uttarkashi in a thick layer of white. The change in weather has drawn tourists to various spots, including the Mall Road and other spots in Mussoorie, with many posting videos of the snowfall on social media. ​Apple growers and other horticulturists, who had been waiting for the precipitation also welcomed the snowfall.
In Rajasthan, rainfall under the influence of a fresh western disturbance was recorded in several parts, including Jaipur. Pushkar in the Ajmer district recorded the highest rainfall at 13.0 mm. Light to moderate fog was also reported at a few places.
A prolonged dry spell also ended in Punjab and Haryana, as the two states witnessed rainfall on Friday, leading to a rise in minimum temperatures, hovering above normal limits.
After several days, minimum temperatures registered an increase and were up to six notches above normal at many places. Most places of the two states, including their joint capital Chandigarh, have been witnessing inclement weather since late Thursday night.
According to the local Met office, places in Punjab that received rain include Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Pathankot, Bathinda, Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Mansa and Rupnagar. Chandigarh was also lashed by heavy rain, with the minimum temperature settling at 10.9 degrees Celsius. In Haryana, Ambala, Hisar, Karnal, Narnaul, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Sirsa and Sonipat received rainfall.
