Parts of Delhi saw “light to moderate” rain on Tuesday morning, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for several areas and an orange alert for others. The alerts, which remain in effect till 1.30 pm, warn of continued rainfall and possible disruptions. The IMD has advised residents and commuters to stay alert and take necessary precautions while travelling.
The rainfall is likely to offer some relief from the worsening air quality in the national capital. On Tuesday morning, Delhi’s air quality slipped back into the ‘very poor’ category, with the CPCB’s Sameer app showing an AQI of 310. This comes just days after air quality had briefly improved following an almost day-long spell of rain earlier this week. According to the IMD, North Delhi, North West Delhi, Central Delhi, North East Delhi, West Delhi and South West Delhi are currently under a red alert.
The weather department has also predicted moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and hail. Wind speeds may reach 40 to 60 kmph over the next hour, and residents have been urged to remain cautious.
Kashmir was blanketed in fresh snow on Tuesday as overnight snowfall covered the valley in white, forcing the closure of the Srinagar–Jammu national highway and disrupting flight services. The snowfall occurred due to a western disturbance affecting the region. While plains, including Srinagar, saw light to moderate snow, higher areas experienced moderate to heavy snowfall. Popular tourist destinations such as Sonamarg, Gulmarg and Pahalgam turned into scenic winter landscapes. Snow was reported across central, north and south Kashmir districts.
As per the IMD, widespread rain and snowfall, along with thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds, are very likely over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on January 27. Uttarakhand may continue to see such activity on January 28 as well. Heavy rain or snowfall is expected at isolated places in these hill states on January 27, which could lead to travel difficulties in higher areas, temporary road closures and disruptions to air and rail services.
IMD predicts rain in north and central India
Light to moderate rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds blowing at 40 to 50 kmph and reaching up to 60 kmph, is expected over Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on January 27.
Similar weather conditions are likely in west Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on the same day, while east Uttar Pradesh may see storms on both January 27 and 28. Madhya Pradesh is expected to receive isolated light rain with lightning on January 27 and 28, and Chhattisgarh may see a few showers on January 28.
The IMD has also warned of isolated hailstorms over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, west Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on January 27. Cold wave conditions are very likely in isolated areas of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab, while parts of Himachal Pradesh may experience cold day conditions with low daytime temperatures.
Unsettled weather may persist till month-end
Looking ahead, the IMD’s forecast for January 29 to 31 indicates isolated to scattered rain or snowfall over the western Himalayan region. Isolated rainfall is also likely over Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh during this period.
With another western disturbance expected from the night of January 30, fresh rain and cloudy weather may develop over northwest India towards the end of the month.