Snowfall in Kinnaur and Rohtang Brings Early Chill to North India; IMD Issues Alerts
Kinnaur records season's first snowfall, Rohtang gets light snow, and rain triggers mudslides on NH-05. IMD issues red alert for four Uttarakhand districts and forecasts more snow.
North India is experiencing an early chill as temperatures fell over the weekend following rain and snowfall in several parts of the region. Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh, known for its landscapes and apple orchards, recorded the season's first snowfall on Saturday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more snow in higher reaches on Monday.
Heavy rain has triggered mudslides and shooting stones, blocking stretches of National Highway-05 and affecting motorists. Light snowfall was also reported around Rohtang Pass in Kullu district, while Shimla and other areas received light to moderate rain. The IMD expects rain to continue across Himachal Pradesh until September 29, with clearer weather likely from September 30 to October 3.
In Uttarakhand, high-altitude areas also witnessed snowfall. The rain and snow have caused temperatures to drop at the Hemkund Sahib and Badrinath Dham shrines, with Hemkund Sahib covered under a blanket of snow. The IMD has issued a warning for torrential rainfall and thunder strikes in Uttarakhand, placing Dehradun, Tehri, Haridwar, and Pauri districts under red alert. Heavy rainfall is also anticipated in Himachal Pradesh and western Uttar Pradesh.
In Delhi, the weather department predicted rainfall over the next three days starting Sunday. The sudden change in weather comes amid a broader pattern that experts link to rising temperatures and changing climate conditions.