Snowfall and Heavy Rain Expected in the North
The IMD has warned of widespread snowfall, rain, and thunderstorms across Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday and Thursday. Uttarakhand will also experience significant snowfall and heavy rain, reducing visibility. Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh will witness scattered showers. Meanwhile, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are likely to see thunderstorms and rainfall.
IMD Weather Outlook: What to Expect Nationwide
The Western Himalayas will experience peak snowfall on Thursday and Friday, with precipitation affecting Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh before easing by the weekend. Eastern Himalayan regions are expected to see intensifying rainfall from Saturday onwards.
A cyclonic circulation over the southern seas is likely to bring rain to Tamil Nadu on Friday and Saturday, with thunderstorms expected. A new Western Disturbance is also set to impact the Western Himalayas starting Sunday.
Temperatures in western Rajasthan will be unusually high today, exceeding normal levels by 4 to 8°C. On Thursday and Friday, temperatures in Punjab’s plains are predicted to be 2 to 8°C below normal, while the rest of the country will remain around average.According to the IMD, January 2024 was the third warmest in India’s recorded history, with an average temperature of 18.98°C—0.94°C above the long-term average of 18.04°C since 1901. The data indicates a rising trend in temperatures, further intensifying concerns about extreme weather patterns.
Heatwaves: A Growing Threat
Extreme heat remains a significant concern. Last year’s heatwave saw temperatures exceeding 50°C in several cities, severely affecting states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar. Heat strokes claimed nearly 100 lives, with regions including Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh facing severe heat stress.
The financial sector also took a hit, with lenders reporting a 50 to 200 basis point drop in loan collection efficiency during the second quarter of the financial year. As heatwaves become more frequent and intense, experts stress the need for long-term climate resilience measures.
With unpredictable weather ahead, officials urge people to remain prepared for extreme conditions.
