Western Disturbance strikes Jammu and Kashmir, mercury to dip in North India

 

The Western Disturbance, currently affecting North Pakistan and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir, is likely to start affecting weather in North India by evening, leading to a series of thunderstorms and dust storms in the areas. A brief respite from blistering heat is expected due to thundershowers that will make weather pleasant during early morning and evening in plains including Haryana, Punjab and Delhi-NCR.

Due to the weather system, parts of Jammu and Kashmir have already received light to moderate rainfall in last 24 hours subsequent to which, day and night temperatures came down by 2-3°C. The rainfall figures in the hilly state includes Qazigund – 8 mm, Srinagar -16.7 mm,  Gulmarg – 22 mm, Jammu – 8.4 mm and Kupwara – 30 mm.

Parts of Himachal Pradesh were also affected due to the weather system as several places received rain in the same span that includes Manali 2.8 mm and Shimla 0.2 mm.

From evening onwards, the system is likely to move eastwards and give dust storms, thunderstorms and isolated thundershowers over parts of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.

Another cyclonic circulation over North Rajasthan is also affecting weather in the state and according to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the combined effect of the Western Disturbance and cyclonic circulation may lead to severe dust storms in isolated places in Rajasthan, in next 24 hours.

Dip in Temperatures due to WD

Currently, the maximum and minimum temperatures are above normal in plains of North India that are expected to fall marginally once the Western Disturbance start influencing the weather. The drop will be by 1-2 degrees Celsius in next 48 hours.

Image Credit: hindustantimes.com