North India is currently experiencing a massive winter surge, with a sharp drop in temperatures and widespread precipitation that is affecting both metropolitan areas and the high-altitude Himalayan regions. The severe weather system, marked by significant snowfall and heavy rain, has led to travel disruption and challenging conditions across the region.

Cold and Rain in the Capital

The National Capital Territory of Delhi, on December 27, witnessed an intensification of the ongoing cold wave, accompanied by early morning rain and even isolated instances of lightning. According to weather forecasts, heavy showers were expected to continue throughout the morning hours. The minimum temperature hovered around 12 degrees Celsius, while the overall predicted low for the day was 8 degrees Celsius. Compounding the discomfort from the cold, the region’s air quality remained dangerously poor, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) registering 398, falling into the ‘very poor’ category.

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Himalayan Chaos: Heavy Snow and Roadblocks

The hilly states are bearing the brunt of the winter blast, with both Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand receiving substantial snow and rainfall.

Himachal Pradesh saw the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issue an Orange Alert, warning of heavy snow and rain across the high and mid-hill areas on December 27 and 28. The accumulating snowfall, which began several days prior on December 23, has resulted in the closure of a staggering 157 roads statewide. Temperatures varied dramatically across the state; the Lahaul and Spiti district’s Tabo recorded the region’s lowest at a freezing -10.6 degrees Celsius, while Una registered the day’s highest at 23.6 degrees Celsius.

Similarly, Uttarakhand is facing a forecast for light to moderate rain and snow, predominantly in high-altitude zones. Key districts like Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, and Bageshwar are expected to receive moderate rainfall, with higher regions blanketed by fresh snow. Towns such as Joshimath and Dehradun, along with remote valleys including Munsiyari and Byas Valley, are experiencing challenging travel conditions as heavy snowfall isolates numerous remote communities and disrupts crucial services.

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Extreme Cold in Jammu and Kashmir

Further north, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir reported extreme cold conditions, with minimum temperatures plummeting to as low as -6 degrees Celsius on December 27. The severe winter weather is posing significant operational challenges for disaster management teams attempting to reach and assist affected areas, emphasizing the harsh reality faced by residents and visitors in the beautiful, snow-covered landscape.

Authorities throughout North India are collaborating closely with local relief organizations to ensure that aid reaches isolated populations, restore blocked transportation routes, and manage the complex logistics of the continuing cold wave.