Western Disturbance turns extremely active: Avalanche alert in Uttarakhand, yellow alert in Delhi-NCR today

• Heavy snowfall and rain disrupt life in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
• IMD warns of avalanches, road closures, and power outages in hill states
• Delhi-NCR faces rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds due to western disturbance

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The mountainous regions of northern India are preparing for another round of harsh weather as a powerful western disturbance moves across the western Himalayas. Several hill states that are already struggling with heavy snowfall are expected to face fresh spells of snow, rain and strong winds over the next few days.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the weather system will remain active till January 28, affecting not only the Himalayan states but also the plains of north-west India, including Delhi-NCR. While tourists are enjoying the snow-covered landscapes, the situation remains difficult for local residents and authorities.

Heavy snowfall likely in hill states

The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain and snowfall at many places across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand till January 28. Some regions are likely to experience heavy snowfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds, increasing the risk of avalanches and landslides.

Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh are expected to see intense snowfall on January 27, while Uttarakhand may face similar conditions on January 27 and 28. Meteorologists have warned that the weather could lead to road closures, power disruptions and communication issues in vulnerable areas.

Rain, thunderstorms expected in Delhi-NCR

The impact of the western disturbance will also be felt in the plains of north-west India. Parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi-NCR are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds on Tuesday. In Delhi-NCR, the IMD has issued a yellow alert, warning of rain, thunder and strong winds from morning till afternoon on Tuesday. The spell is expected to cause a temporary drop in temperatures, adding to the winter chill in the national capital.

Wind speeds may reach 40–50 kmph, with gusts occasionally touching 60 kmph. The IMD has also warned of possible hailstorms at isolated places in Uttarakhand plains, western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Roads and power supply hit in Himachal Pradesh

Heavy snowfall and rain in Himachal Pradesh have already caused major disruptions. According to officials, more than 1,250 roads have been closed across the state, severely affecting transport and daily life. Several remote villages have been cut off due to snow accumulation.

Power supply has also taken a hit, with 1,942 distribution transformer regions (DTRs) reported to be non-functional. Shimla district was the worst affected with 789 DTRs down, followed by Sirmaur, Mandi, Kullu and Chamba. Despite the disruptions, tourists continue to arrive in large numbers to enjoy the snow in popular destinations like Shimla, Manali and Kufri.

Avalanche alert issued in Uttarakhand

Authorities in Uttarakhand on Sunday issued heightened avalanche warnings for several high-altitude districts after alerts from the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE). The Defence Geospatial Information Research Establishment (DGRE) released a bulletin indicating varying threat levels across different parts of the state.

The State Emergency Operations Centre reported that snowfall has led to the closure of six national highways and 66 other roads across Uttarakhand. District administrations have been put on alert, and rescue teams are ready to respond in case of emergencies. People living in high-altitude areas have been advised to avoid venturing into avalanche-prone zones.

The six national highways include: Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway; Gopeshwar-Mandal-Chopta; Joshimath-Malari-Neeti highways; the Rishikesh-Yamunotri Highway is blocked from Raditop to Orchhaband; the Rishikesh-Gangotri Highway is closed beyond Gangnani; and the Chamba-Dhanolti-Suakholi Highway in Tehri district.

Meteorologists have indicated that another fresh western disturbance may affect north-west India from the night of January 30, potentially bringing another round of rain and snowfall. However, after January 28, weather conditions are expected to gradually improve.

The IMD has forecast a rise of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius in minimum temperatures across north-west India in the days following the current spell, signalling a slow warming trend.