The northern hills of the country have been gripped under rainy and snowy weather for the last past two days. This inclement weather has also resulted in landslides and shooting stones at various districts of Kashmir.
These incessant rains also led to the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway thereby creating chaos among the travellers. Approximately 1000 tourists are stranded in different regions of Kashmir.
For the past two to three days, the hills of North India have witnessed torrential showers at the lower levels. The higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh have also observed snowfall. The popular tourist destination Patnitop was also painted white due to heavy snow over the region.
As per Skymet Weather, the Western Disturbance which was over Jammu and Kashmir is moving eastwards. However, another fresh Western Disturbance is over North Pakistan and adjoining areas. Due to the combined effect of both these weather systems, the hills of North India were lashed by heavy rain and snow.
On account of the rains and snow during the last 24 hours, both the maximum and minimum temperatures also plummeted and remained a few notches below the normal levels.
Let’s have a look at the amount of rain and snow recorded in the hilly states of North India in the last 24 hours from 08:30 am on Thursday:
These rain and snow episodes in the northern hills are expected to continue for next 48 hours and reduce thereafter. Rains are expected to continue over Vaishno Devi for the next 24 to 48 hours.
Due to good amount of snow and rain over the hills of North India, chances of avalanches are also high in the higher reaches of Kashmir.
Usually, rains and snow start reducing in March but due to the persistent Western Disturbances that are prevailing from a longer period of time, the hills are still enveloped under rains and layers of snow.
Image Credit: Tehalka
Any information taken from here should be credited to skymetweather.com
