Western Disturbance Likely to Bring Heavy Snowfall Across Western Himalayan States Starting Thursday

A fresh western disturbance (WD) is all set to bring a new and intense spell of rain and snowfall over the northern states of India starting Thursday, November 21 onwards.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the WD was situated over Iran on Thursday morning as a cyclonic circulation. As it moves eastwards, the WD is all set to influence the weather in Western Himalayan region from Thursday onwards.

IMD forecasts fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy rain or snow, and thunder or hailstorms over Jammu & Kashmir on November 21 and 22, and over Himachal Pradesh on November 22.

Further, the regional Meteorological Centre at Srinagar has forecast widespread rains/snow in Kashmir, isolated falls in Jammu and scattered falls in Ladakh on Thursday. The prediction changes to widespread rainfall/snowfall in Kashmir and scattered downpour in Jammu and Ladakh on Friday.

Due to the high likelihood (75%) of isolated heavy rain and snow, yellow-level alerts have been issued in Kashmir and Ladakh on both days. Yellow-coloured warnings urge the residents to be aware and stay updated on the situation.

On the other hand, the Meteorological Centre of Shimla has issued multiple yellow-level alerts throughout the state. On Friday, November 22, the districts Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti are all under the yellow watch. The warning prediction reads: ‘Thunderstorm accompanied with lighting/heavy rain/snow at isolated places’.

It was only earlier this month, on November 6, that Jammu & Kashmir received its first snow of the season. In fact, persistent snowfall between November 6 and 8 disrupted normal life in the union territory. Road and air traffic were suspended, power and transmission lines were cut, and apple orchards experienced severe destruction.

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