A fresh western disturbance has emerged over Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, bringing heavy snowfall to higher altitudes, especially regions above 15,000 feet.
The American space agency, NASA, released a picture on Friday, showing a vast region from Lahore to Delhi blanketed in toxic smog. The image painted a grim scene of the entire area trapped under what seemed like a gas chamber filled with poisonous air. From Delhi to Chandigarh and extending to Lahore, the air quality remains hazardous, worsened by stagnant winds.
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According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this dire situation will likely continue for the next two to three days due to the absence of strong winds to disperse the pollution. However, there is hope that gusts blowing in from the mountains could help clear the smog. Alongside pollution concerns, IMD noted that cold weather has settled into parts of North India, including Delhi-NCR.
The IMD further warned of dense fog over the northern plains and the Himalayan foothills from November 17 to 19. Areas such as Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and western Rajasthan are expected to experience reduced visibility until November 18. Himachal Pradesh to Sikkim could see foggy conditions until November 19. As temperatures dip, Delhi-NCR recorded a minimum temperature of 12.5°C, slightly colder than in previous days, with icy winds intensifying the chill, especially during early mornings and nights.
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Fresh Snowfall Ushers in Harsher Winter Conditions
A fresh western disturbance has emerged over Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, bringing heavy snowfall to higher altitudes, especially regions above 15,000 feet. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are also bracing for significant snow and rain, which will likely bring colder conditions to the plains. IMD predicts a steep temperature drop across Punjab, Delhi, northern Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand by November 21, as north and north-western winds funnel cold air down from the mountains.
Southern India Sees Continued Rainfall
IMD forecasts light to moderate rain across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka as the northeast monsoon continues. Areas of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana may also see scattered showers. Rain is also likely in Maharashtra and Gujarat, but temperatures are expected to remain around a comfortable 30°C.
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Cold Tightens Grip on Bihar and Jharkhand
Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand are already feeling the temperature drop, with mornings marked by a dense, impenetrable fog reducing visibility. In southern Bihar and Jharkhand, the early morning chill is biting, although daytime temperatures hover around 30°C. Meanwhile, coastal Odisha and areas near the Bay of Bengal are bracing for strong winds and light rain.
As weather patterns continue to shift, residents across North and South India should prepare for significant changes, from smog and dense fog to heavy snow and rainfall.
