Cold wave tightens grip in North-West India

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to scattered rainfall and snowfall over the Western Himalayan region during the next two to three days.

According to IMD, cold day to severe cold day conditions are are expected in isolated places over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh today.

Dense fog conditions are also very likely to prevail during the night and morning hours of Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura over the next two-three days. Similar Conditions are also expected over Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.

Further, squally weather with winds is expected over Gulf of Mannar, Comorin area, adjoining Maldives area, along and off Sri Lanka coast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal. The weatherman advised fisherman to not venture in to these areas.

In Jammu & Kashmir, the cold wave conditions have intensified across Kashmir since last two days, with the MeT



office predicting fresh spells of light to moderate snowfall in the valley during the week. The night temperature remains below freezing point.

The Srinagar Jammu National Highway is open on both sides for vehicular traffic. The Srinagar Kargil Road is open for vehicular traffic on one side. Commuters have been advised to follow the guidelines of the traffic department for smooth and safe travel.

Director of the Meteorological Department Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said a feeble western disturbance is likely to hit Kashmir till tomorrow with the possibility of light snow at scattered places.

He further said there is a chance of snow at most places with peak activity on January 4 to 6 adding there was a possibility of heavy snow at a few places in the higher reaches during the second spell. Kashmir is currently under the grip of 40-day ‘Chillai-Kalan’, that is the harshest period of winter that will end on 30th of this month.