Flights departing and arriving at Srinagar Airport have been suspended due to the ongoing snowfall. This has erupted travel delays and inconveniences for passengers.
Today, India woke up with the weather surprise on the occasion of Basant Panchmi, a festival known for the arrival of spring. The unexpected and dramatic change in weather has been reported due to western disturbance.
A strong Western Disturbance moved across northern parts of the country, bringing widespread rainfall to the plains and snowfall to the Himalayan region. Such shifts have disrupted normal life in several states including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh etc.
This change has been reported after weeks of dry winter weather. Skies turned cloudy, rain pouring was accompanied by the strong winds. A sharp drop in temperatures has been witnessed.
Rain and Wind Lash Northern Plains
From morning hours till now, there has been frequent rain showers, along with occasional thunderstorms and strong winds across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.
In Punjab and Haryana, rain has been reported in several cities including Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Ambala, Hisar, Karnal, Rohtak and Sonipat. The rain and winds not only have affected festival celebrations but have also increase the weather chill across the plains.
Snowfall in the Himalayas Ends Dry Spell
Meanwhile, Snowfall blankets Himachal Pradesh. First Major snowfall of the season has ended long dry spell that lasted for three and half months. Places including Shimla, Kufri, Chopal, Rampur, Narkanda and other upper regions received continuous snowfall.
In Jammu and Kashmir, heavy snowfall continued throughout Friday, particularly in the Kashmir Valley and higher areas like Gulmarg.
Due to snow accumulation and poor weather conditions, flight operations at Srinagar Airport were temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure. In addition, the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway and several important mountain passes remained closed, further affecting road connectivity in the region.
Pilgrimages, including the Vaishno Devi yatra, were suspended because heavy snowfall and blocked roads made travel unsafe or impossible in many areas.
Western Disturbance Explained
The western disturbance in the weather system reportedly is connected with the low air pressure that forms over the Mediterranean Sea, moves eastwards towards the Indian subcontinent.
When these systems become active, they usually bring rainfall to the plains and snowfall to mountainous areas, especially during the winter and early spring seasons.
As per the IMD (Indian Meteorological Department), the forecast reveals that such weather conditions may continue till January 26. This event could extend the spell of rain and snowfall across Indian regions.
Impact on Daily Life and Economy
The weather disturbance has had several impacts:
Flights departing and arriving at Srinagar Airport have been suspended due to the ongoing snowfall. This has erupted travel delays and inconveniences for passengers. Thick snowfall has caused the closure of key-routes including Manali-Leh Highway, Mughal Road and several Hill passes.
The air traffic to and from Kashmir was suspended on Friday after flight operations were cancelled at the Srinagar airport due to heavy snowfall in the valley, which has rendered the runway unsafe for aircraft operation, officials said.
Other than such disruptions, farmers; specifically wheat growers have welcomed the rain as it brings moisture to their fields, supporting good soil conditions.
Air Quality and Health Considerations
In cities like Delhi, the early morning showers have improved air quality as particles were washed out of the atmosphere. However, officials have advised that air quality may fluctuate again once the rains cease, and residents have been advised to monitor weather and pollution updates.
Simultaneously, cold wave and dense fog conditions are expected to persist in some parts of the plains and lower valleys, potentially affecting travel and daily activity, especially during early mornings and late nights.
Basant Panchmi Under Grey Skies
Basant Panchmi is the festival that marks the end of winter and arrival of spring. The festival is linked to the rituals like Kite Flying and community celebrations across North India.
In the usual events, clear skies and gentle winds make the day perfect for great celebrations. This year, however, the surprising weather has made a different story with grey skies, rain and snowfall.
