After enduring one of the lengthiest dry spells, the upper reaches of the Kashmir Valley, including the popular tourist destination of Gulmarg, have been transformed by a fresh blanket of snow, bringing joy to both tourists and locals reliant on the tourism industry. In Himachal Pradesh, a new spell of snowfall has coated the scenic Mall Road in Manali, drawing the delight of numerous visitors.
However, the snowfall has presented transportation challenges, leading to some tourists finding themselves stranded. In Kullu, SP Sakshi Verma said that approximately 50 vehicles and a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus became stuck near the South Portal of Atal Tunnel Rohtang (ATR), where 300 tourists were onboard. All tourists have been safely evacuated from ATR.
In Shimla, Kufri experienced fresh snowfall, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Himachal Pradesh, indicating the possibility of snowfall in elevated regions and rain in other parts of the state.
The IMD has also issued an orange alert for Jammu & Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh, predicting isolated heavy rainfall or snowfall on January 31 and February 1. Similarly, Uttarakhand is expected to witness heavy rainfall or snowfall at isolated places on February 1.
A wet spell is forecasted over the Western Himalayan Region and adjoining plains until February 4, with the peak intensity on January 31 and February 1, 2024. Additionally, two successive Western Disturbances are anticipated to impact northwest India over the next 5-6 days, resulting in light to moderate rainfall/snowfall in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab.
On January 31 and February 1, light rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds is expected in many places, and on February 3 and 4, at isolated locations in Haryana and Chandigarh. Meanwhile, the national capital is likely to experience light rain accompanied by gusty winds (30-40 kmph) on January 31, and light rainfall/drizzle on February 1 and 3.
A fog alert has been issued for Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi, where dense to very dense fog (visibility<50 meters) is highly likely in some places during the night/morning hours on February 1 and in isolated pockets on February 2.
Similarly, Uttar Pradesh is expected to encounter dense to very dense fog (visibility<50 meters) in night/morning hours in isolated pockets from January 31 to February 2.