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The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe weather warning for much of north and central India, predicting a significant cold wave and widespread disruption due to heavy snowfall and rainfall. The impact of this extreme weather is already being felt across several states, causing widespread transportation delays, power outages, and significant challenges for daily life. The warning highlights the severity of the situation, advising residents to take precautions against the plummeting temperatures and challenging conditions.
The most dramatic impact of the storm is seen in Kashmir, where the heaviest snowfall of the season has brought life to a standstill. The sheer volume of snow has caused widespread power and water outages, and completely shut down transportation networks. Air, rail, and road traffic have been severely impacted, with the closure of the crucial Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, a lifeline for the region. Snow clearance operations are severely hampered, further exacerbating the situation. Train services have also been suspended, leaving many stranded. However, amidst the chaos, the article highlights a heartwarming example of community spirit, with locals in Gund opening a mosque to shelter stranded travelers, showcasing resilience and compassion in the face of adversity.
Uttarakhand is also experiencing the brunt of the storm, with continuous snowfall in hill districts leading to dangerously low temperatures. Popular tourist destinations like Auli, Hemkund Sahib, and Chopta are buried under heavy snow, and key highways, including vital routes to Badrinath and Joshimath-Niti, are blocked, severely impacting connectivity. Adding to the problems, rainfall has caused widespread electricity outages in several villages across Karnaprayag, Tharali, and Narayanbagh areas, further highlighting the widespread impact of this severe weather event.
In stark contrast to the snowfall in the north, Delhi experienced record rainfall for the month of December. The city recorded an astounding 41.2 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, the highest single-day December rainfall since 1923. While this brought a degree of relief from the cold, it also caused its own disruptions. The unusual rainfall resulted in a maximum temperature of only 15.8°C, significantly below normal, while the minimum temperature, unusually high at 12.7°C, was a consequence of the rain itself. The IMD attributes this unusual weather pattern to an active western disturbance interacting with easterly winds, demonstrating the complex interplay of meteorological factors at play.
The widespread nature of the inclement weather is underscored by the continued rainfall across Punjab and Haryana, now into its second day. This is impacting temperatures in major cities like Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Ambala. Rajasthan, too, experienced moderate showers, with some eastern areas even experiencing hailstorms. Jhalawar district recorded a particularly high rainfall of 86 mm. Dense fog, reducing visibility, further complicates travel and daily life across the affected regions. Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, experienced a maximum temperature of only 15.1°C, accompanied by rain throughout the day. This underlines the wide geographical reach of this severe weather event, affecting numerous cities and impacting millions.
The IMD's warnings of a severe coldwave affecting Northwest and Central India, with a significant temperature drop of 3-5°C across the region, paint a grim picture of the challenges ahead. The combination of dense fog, heavy snowfall, and record rainfall indicates that this is a prolonged and widespread event, requiring extensive preparations and responses from local authorities and residents alike. The predicted continuation of cold and inclement weather means that the situation is likely to remain challenging for several days, requiring ongoing vigilance and preparation. The scale and intensity of this weather event necessitate a coordinated response to minimize disruption and ensure the safety and well-being of affected populations.