Himalayan States to Receive Persistent Heavy Snowfall Starting Thursday

The Western Himalayan states and union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are expected to witness persistent heavy snowfall starting Thursday, November 14, under the influence of a western disturbance.

According to the India Meteorological Department, a western disturbance in the form of a cyclonic circulation currently persists over Afghanistan and its neighbourhood.

It has effectively induced a cyclonic circulation over southwest Rajasthan and its surrounding regions.

Moreover, according to The Weather Channel’s Met Team, snow accumulation up to 40-50 cm is possible in some locally alpine areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand until Saturday, with peak snowfall expected on Friday.

To add to the above forecast, the Meteorological Centre Shimla has predicted isolated, light to moderate snow/rain in the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul & Spiti, Mandi, Shimla and Solar starting Thursday. The isolated falls are expected to continue in all districts on Friday, and decrease to only a few on Saturday.

Meteorological Centre Srinagar’s seven-day forecast also predicts isolated heavy rain/snowfall in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh on Friday and Saturday (Nov 14-15). The center has also issued an orange-level alert in all three regions, urging people to ‘be prepared’ and maintain vigilance.

Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and parts of Uttarakhand received heavy snowfall between the end of the previous week and the start of the ongoing one. Snow showers not only blocked the roads, thereby causing traffic, but water and electric power supply were also severely affection in multiple areas. Citizens of the Kashmir valley were reportedly left without power for nearly three days.