Rains sweep north India, more predicted

New Delhi, March 1

North India on Sunday woke up to mild showers that swept across the plains even while the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh experienced snowfall, with mercury plummeting significantly in several places as a result.

(Photo album: Weather's whims)

Weathermen have predicted more rains in the next 24 hours caused by a series of weather systems coupled up to soak different parts of the country.

"While a fresh western disturbance is affecting the hilly states of J&K, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, a cyclonic circulation is causing rain in Haryana, Rajasthan, and adjoining areas. Moreover, another system is affecting Gujarat and adjoining areas of Rajasthan," said GP Sharma, vice-president of Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency.

Delhi and parts of the National Capital region (NCR) were hit by rain and strong winds since morning, bringing down temperatures.

Overcast conditions persisted throughout the day and was accompanied with strong winds and light rainfall in several parts of the capital, prompting people to venture out of their homes to enjoy the weather. The city received 17.2 mm of rain during the day, while the maximum temperature was recorded at 19 degrees Celsius, eight notches below normal, and minimum was 15.2 degrees Celsius, three above normal.

Jammu and Kashmir experiences rains, snow

Rains in the plains and snowfall in upper reaches of Kashmir continued for the second day on Sunday as the downpour brought down maximum temperature by more than four degrees.

Gulmarg received snowfall equivalent 1.8 mm of rains since 8.30 am this morning, a meteorological department official said.

While upper reaches of the Valley received snowfall, the plains were lashed by intermittent rains with Qazigund in south Kashmir receiving 14.4 mm rainfall.

Pahalgam (3.8 mm), Srinagar (3.9 mm), Kokernag (5.9 mm) and Kupwara (6.9 mm) also witnessed intermittent rains through the day. The maximum temperature recorded in the summer capital of the state was 4.9 degrees Celsius, down from 9.2 degrees Celsius of yesterday.

Himachal Pradesh snowed in

Wintry conditions were revived in most parts of Himachal Pradesh as tribal areas and other higher hills had another spell of heavy snowfall while mid  and lower hills were lashed by intermittent heavy rains, causing sharp dip in mercury.

The sky remained heavily overcast and icy winds accompanied by rains and snow brought down temperature by five to eight degrees.

Kalpa and Keylong recorded 30 cm and 35 cm of snow while Rohtang Pass, Mari, Koksar and Churdhar ranges received 45 cm to 55 cm of snow until evening while adjoining valleys received moderate snowfall.

Nahaan and Manali received 15 mm and 13 mm rains, followed by Kasauli (13 mm), Majholi (12 mm), Sundernagar and Solan (9 mm each), Shimla, Una and Kangra (8 mm each).

Rain pelts Haryana, Punjab

Light to moderate rains lashed parts of Haryana and Punjab accompanied by high velocity winds bringing down temperatures in the region.

"A deep trough has been created over the region due to which isolated places in Punjab and Haryana can face thunder squall and hailstorms with wind speed exceeding 45 km per hour in the next two days," Met officials said.

Kosli received the most rainfall in the region at 25 mm, followed by Taraou (23 mm), Bawal (22 mm), Mewat and Rewari (21 mm each), Palwal (16 mm), Sonipat (15 mm), Faridabad and Gurgaon (12 mm), Hodal (11 mm), Pataudi (7 mm), Jhajjar (6 mm), Muktsar (5.2 mm), Balabgarh, Bahadurgarh, and Mahenderagarh (5 mm), Beri, Nangal Coundhary, Rohtak and Fazilka (4 mm), Meham (3 mm), Bhiwani, Rania and Dhuri (2 mm), Hisar and Karnal (1.4 mm), Patiala (1.2 mm), and Ambala (0.2 mm).

Amritsar was the coldest place in the two states with a low of 6 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal while mercury in Narnaul and Ludhiana settled at a low of 13 degrees Celsius, Bhiwani 13.2, Karnal 13.5, Hisar 14.3, Patiala 14.4, and Chandigarh 15.2 degrees Celsius, Met officials said.

Ambala was the hottest with a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, which was eight notches above normal.

Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh also experienced rainfall. — PTI