Season's heaviest snowfall painted the hills of north India white, with a prolonged three-spell, between Friday and Sunday. Moderate to heavy rains lashed the foothills and plains. Flashes of lightning, peals of thunder, intense showers and heavy hailstorms at places turned hazardous, damaging crops and infrastructures.
Ramban, Banihal and Qazi Gund, the entry points of Kashmir Valley were battered with the heaviest weather activity of the season. Banihal and Qazi Gund measured 90mm and 81mm of rainfall, amounting to nearly a meter of snow. Lower hills at Udhampur and Katra recorded 125mm and 74mm downpours, respectively.
Jammu, Samba and Kathua witnessed hailstorms and heavy rains. Fierce weather activity triggered massive landslides and mudslides, leading to the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Most of the arterial roads in the Jammu division also were closed or choked following crippling weather activity.
The state of Himachal Pradesh observed similar conditions. Tourist resort of Manali received the heaviest snowfall of the season, over the last 2 days. Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Chamba and Kullu had a terrific spell of blinding rain and snow. Parts of Uttrakhand, including Mussoorie, Nainital, Pithoragarh and Tehri observed scathing weather activity. Religious places like Badrinath and Kedarnath were buried under mounds of snow. The Plains of Punjab and Haryana, particularly, the northern halves and foothills were severely attacked by strong thunderstorms and lightning. A hailstorm followed at a few places. Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Bhatinda, Ambala, Karnal and Hisar were struck with incessant rains and high-speed winds.
The western disturbance is expected to move eastward and weaken as well. The induced circulation over the plains will get filled up over the next 24 hours. Weather activity, both, in the plains and hills, will lessen substantially. Light to moderate snowfall in the hills and a few stray showers in the plains will continue for the next 24 hours. Plains will take a break from tomorrow onwards. But, the hill will continue with the light weather activity for the next 3-4 days. Broad clearance can be expected from 08 Mar 2024.
Image Credit: ndtvimg
