Weather updates: Heavy snowfall in J&K, Himachal; Temperature dips in Delhi

Thick white sheets of snow covered several high-altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on Monday, while temperatures dipped in Delhi and NCR following rainfall.

Many tourist destinations like Kullu, Manali, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Anantnag received snowfall.

Photo Credit: Image courtesy: ANI

The weatherman has forecast improvement in weather conditions over the next 24 hours but warned of the possibility of cloudburst or lightning on Tuesday evening. The day temperature has dropped to around 12 degrees Celsius against the normal of 24 degrees Celsius, the MeT officials said. While the tourists were in for a pleasant surprise over the snowfall, the inclement weather caused hardships for the locals.

Rainfall over the past 24 hours in most parts of the Valley, and snowfall in some areas, has sent the mercury plummeting and people had to pull out their winter clothes again.

On May 8, the regional Meteorological office released a 'yellow' warning for thunderstorms and lightning, as well as anticipated light to moderate precipitation in the low and mid hills. Additionally, there is a forecast of light rain and snow in higher altitudes on both May 8 and 9.

As many as 16 roads are blocked in the state following the inclement weather conditions, while 719 transformers have been disrupted. The tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti, which received 85 per cent deficit rains during March 2023, is witnessing periodical snowfall and rains, reducing the deficit to 53 per cent in May.

The residents who were worried about drought-like conditions during summers are feeling relieved as agriculture in the district is rainfed. Due to deficit rains during winters, people were worried that the natural sources of water would dry up during the summers creating a scarcity of drinking water also for irrigation.

Former Zila Parishad Vice President, Rigjin Samphlel Harpa, from Kwaring village, said that he led a deputation from his village to Shimla and also apprised the chief minister and deputy chief minister along with local MLA Ravi Thakur about the situation. He also said that the current spell of rain and snow is a boon for farmers as it would provide nutrition for forest wealth. However, providing irrigation facilities to villages in Lahaul is of utmost importance.

Meanwhile, parts of Delhi and its adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) received another round of rainfall during the month of May, providing respite from the intense heat. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the minimum temperature in the capital city was 23 degrees Celsius.

Although the current pleasant weather is enjoyable, it will not persist for long, according to the weather agency, which has predicted an increase in temperature in the near future. The IMD has predicted that Delhi's maximum temperature will gradually rise to 39 degrees Celsius by May 12.

(with PTI inputs)