Severe Weather Alert: Western Himalayan Region & Northwest India Braces for Intense Conditions

A significant weather event is poised to unfold across the Western Himalayan Region and the adjoining plains of northwest India in the upcoming days, commencing from the night of February 17th through February 22nd, 2024.

A fresh active Western Disturbance is predicted to impact northwest India starting from the night of February 17th. Consequently:

• Light to moderate rainfall/snowfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is anticipated over the Western Himalayan Region, including Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, from February 17th to 20th, 2024.
• Heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad and Himachal Pradesh on February 18th and 20th, with Uttarakhand experiencing heavy rainfall on February 19th and 20th, 2024.
• Very heavy rainfall is also forecasted at isolated places over the aforementioned regions on February 19th, 2024.
• Hailstorm activity is likely at isolated places over Jammu division on February 18th, over Himachal Pradesh on February 18th and 19th, and over Uttarakhand from February 18th to 21st, 2024.
• Scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall is expected over Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, and West Uttar Pradesh from February 19th to 21st, with East Uttar Pradesh experiencing the same from February 20th to 22nd. Isolated light to moderate rainfall is also predicted over north Rajasthan from February 19th to 21st, and over north Madhya Pradesh from February 20th to 22nd, 2024.

Moreover, isolated thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds are likely over various regions during different periods between February 18th and 21st, 2024. Hailstorm activity is also expected at isolated places over Punjab, Haryana, north Rajasthan, and West Uttar Pradesh on February 19th and 20th.

The impact of heavy rainfall, snowfall, thunderstorms, and hailstorms could lead to disruptions in electricity, landslides, road blockages, disruption of traffic flow, and damage to structures. Therefore, precautionary measures are advised, including avoiding low-lying areas prone to flooding, staying away from power lines, seeking shelter indoors during heavy rainfall, and securing loose objects to prevent them from flying.

This weather forecast, provided by the NWFC, IMD New Delhi, highlights the anticipated weather conditions and advises on necessary precautions to mitigate potential risks and damages.