New Delhi, Oct 15 Fresh snowfall covered the higher reaches of northern India in white on Thursday, leading to the closure of several roads, while heavy rain and grey skies washed over the plains below, including the national capital.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said parts of south India also witnessed activity under the northeast monsoon — known as the retreating monsoon — even as it announced the departure of the southwest variant from the entire country.
A few vital roads in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Mughal Road — the alternate road link connecting the Valley with the Jammu region — were closed, with officials pressing men and machinery into service for route clearance.
In Himachal Pradesh, roads from Rohtang Pass to Sarchu, Darcha to Shinku La, and Gramphu to Batal have been closed, along with Sach Pass, as the snow cover has increased travel risks due to slippery roads, officials said.
The heavy rain in Jammu also triggered flashflood-like situations in several areas, they said.
Delhi witnessed a distinctly gloomy day, as rain and gusty winds swept across the city, bringing the maximum temperature down to 28.3 degrees Celsius, the lowest so far this month. It was 4.9 degrees below normal, according to the IMD.
Traffic was thrown out of gear across several parts of the city, with junctions packed with vehicles and chaos on several roads due to waterlogging.
Weather experts attributed the rain to a western disturbance and cyclonic circulations over adjoining areas, describing the showers as part of a normal post-monsoon weather pattern.
In Jammu and Kashmir, plains recorded rainfall as well, with Udhampur in the Jammu region recording the highest at 59.6 mm, followed by Poonch (39.5 mm), Samba (34 mm), Shopian (34 mm), Baramulla (29 mm) and Katra (23.1 mm).
Widespread rain also lashed the Valley, including Srinagar (12 mm), as the weather remained cloudy in most parts of the region, officials said.
According to the meteorological department, rain and gusty winds are likely to continue across Jammu and Kashmir, amid warnings of isolated hailstorms and light snowfall over the higher reaches during the day.
The weather office has forecast generally dry weather in the Jammu region on October 16, with a brief spell of light rain at isolated to scattered places.
The upper reaches of Uttarakhand and capital Dehradun woke up to cloudy skies and scattered rain, as the IMD predicted thunderstorms in Dehradun, Tehri, Haridwar, Pauri, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi districts.
In Rudraprayag district, a man was injured on the Kedarnath trekking route where rocks from the hillside fell. He was discharged after preliminary treatment, officials said.
In Himachal Pradesh, snowfall was witnessed in Shinku La, Baralacha La, Kunzum La, Koksar, Jispa, Keylong and Gondla in Lahaul and Spiti, Sural and Sach Pass in Chamba, and the Dhauladhar ranges in Kangra district.
Sural in the Pangi valley recorded 7 cm of snow, while Sach Pass received up to 30 cm, according to reports reaching here. Sach Pass has also been closed for vehicular traffic. Gondla and Keylong received 5 cm and 3 cm of snow, respectively.
Police teams safely evacuated around 100 vehicles stranded near Gondla in Lahaul and Spiti following the snowfall.
The fresh snow has brought cheer to people associated with tourism and allied businesses, who expect an increase in tourist footfall in the coming days.
The change in weather has also led to a significant drop in temperatures in Manali and Dharamshala. The intensifying cold has prompted residents to take out warm clothing and start bonfires.
The weather office has forecast a wet spell at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh until Saturday.
In southern India, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, south interior Karnataka, Kerala and Mahe witnessed activity under the northeast monsoon, the IMD said.
“With the onset of the northeast monsoon, a wet spell with isolated heavy falls is likely over many parts of south peninsular India till October 21,” it said in its daily forecast.
Addressing a press conference in Chennai, Regional Meteorological Centre Director V R Durai said widespread light to moderate rainfall and isolated heavy showers were recorded across Tamil Nadu in the last 24 hours.
Thogaimalai in Karur district recorded the highest rainfall of 11 cm, followed by Nagapattinam and Dharmapuri with 8 cm each, alongside moderate showers in several interior districts.
“Thunderstorms with isolated heavy rain are likely over the Western Ghats and adjoining interior districts, including the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, Erode, Tiruppur, Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, and Tiruvannamalai over the next two days,” he said.
Chennai and its neighbourhood are likely to receive moderate rain during this period, the official said.
In Maharashtra, in the meantime, there is no sign of winter chill, with mercury levels rising in capital Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra, meteorologists said.
Late arrival of sea breeze during the day and anti-cyclonic circulation over Gujarat and southwest Madhya Pradesh are among the factors that are leading to the high temperatures in several parts of the state — hovering around 35 degrees Celsius, an unusual phenomenon for October.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for a heatwave in Mumbai for October 16.
(PTI News)
