Western Disturbance chills north India: Rain in Delhi-NCR, snow alert in Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand

Kashmir

• Delhi sees rain, yellow alert issued as western disturbance hits north India
• Heavy snowfall forecast in Kashmir, orange alerts in Himachal and Uttarakhand
• Delhi's AQI likely to improve due to rain and increased wind speed

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Cold conditions have gripped north India as an active Western Disturbance has hit the region. Parts of Delhi and Noida witnessed light rain on Friday morning as weather conditions changed due to the active western disturbance, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The weather agency has warned that the city may see one or two more spells of light rain during the day, along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.

IMD officials said wind speeds could touch 30–40 kmph during the early morning to forenoon hours. A yellow alert has been issued across the national capital, advising people to remain cautious, especially during sudden showers and strong winds.

Delhi had experienced unusually warm weather a day earlier. On Thursday, the maximum temperature touched 27.1 degrees Celsius, around seven degrees above normal. This made it the warmest January day in the last seven years.

Weather officials said the rise in temperature was mainly due to warm easterly winds and clear skies, which led to longer sunshine hours.

Temperatures likely to drop sharply in Delhi-NCR

With rain and cloud cover expected on Friday, temperatures in Delhi-NCR are likely to come down significantly. The IMD has forecast the maximum temperature to remain between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius on Friday in the national capital. It may fall further to 16–18 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

Officials said another round of very light to light rain is likely later in the afternoon or evening. Residents have been advised to stay alert to the possibility of brief thunderstorms and strong winds.

The rainfall is also expected to bring some relief on the pollution front. According to officials, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI), which has been fluctuating in recent days, is likely to improve due to rain and increased wind speed.

Heavy snowfall forecast in Kashmir

Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, the IMD has forecast major snowfall in the Kashmir Valley and Pir Panjal regions from early Friday. IMD Srinagar said back-to-back western disturbances are expected to affect the region’s weather for nearly a week.

IMD Srinagar director Mukhtar Ahmad said moderate to heavy rainfall and snowfall are likely in parts of south Kashmir, while north Kashmir may also receive heavy snow. High-altitude areas such as Zojila Pass, Gulmarg and parts of Kupwara could receive two to three feet of snowfall.

Authorities have stepped up preparations. In Kulgam district, officials said 232 pregnant women expected to deliver this week have already been admitted to hospitals as a precaution. The IMD warned that snowfall could disrupt road traffic, trigger landslides on key highways and affect air services in the region.

Orange, yellow alert in Himachal, Uttarakhand

A strong western disturbance has also been active in Himachal Pradesh, leading to forecast of heavy rain and snowfall in the mountains for the next few days starting Friday. An orange alert has been issued specifically for heavy snowfall in some areas of Chamba, Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts on January 23.

The Meteorological Department has also issued a warning of rainfall and snowfall in Uttarakhand on January 23. According to the alert, an orange alert has been issued for the districts of Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh, while a yellow alert has been issued for Dehradun, Tehri, Haridwar, Pauri, Almora, and Nainital.