Snowfall in HP, U'khand; rains in many parts plunge mercury

Snowfall in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and rains in the plains intensified the cold conditions today in the northern region including the national capital.
Avalanche warning was issued for several areas in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh and the wet weather is likely to continue in the hill states tomorrow also.
Delhi received its first spell of winter rains today bringing down the maximum temperature to three notches below normal.
Bad weather delayed 70 trains, while 16 had to be rescheduled and seven cancelled. However, flight operations at IGI Airport were not affected.
The maximum temperature was recorded at 16 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal while the minimum settled at 13.5 degrees Celsius, five notches above normal," a MeT official said, adding the rainfall received till 8.30 AM was 3.4 cm while only traces were recorded during the day.

The first heavy snowfall of the season in Shimla and Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh disrupted traffic, telecommunication links and supply of power and water while a large number of tourists were stranded. In Shimla, the mercury dropped sharply to 0.2 degrees Celsius.

Traffic was brought to a halt beyond Shoghi, 13 km from Shimla which received 40 cm of snow till this noon. Tourist resorts of Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda had 45-55 cm of snow. Traffic has been suspended on Kullu-Manali road. Rohtang Pass and adjoining areas are covered under 60 cm thick snow.
Kashmir Valley remained cut off from the rest of the country for the second day due to heavy snowfall in many areas over the past four days while the mercury fell below freezing point at most places with Gulmarg recording the lowest at minus 8.4 degrees Celsius.

The arterial Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained closed for the second consecutive day due to heavy snowfall and landslides.
Srinagar city and other weather stations across the Valley recorded minimum temperature close to freezing point. More snowfall and rain have been predicted in the Valley.
Chandigarh-based Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment issued medium danger avalanche warning for avalanche prone areas in Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Doda, Poonch and Reasi districts of Jammu and Kashmir till 5 PM tomorrow.
Medium danger avalanche warning has also been issued for avalanche prone areas of Chamba, Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh.

In Uttarakhand, a number of places located above 2,000 metres in Kumaon and Garhwal regions received fresh snow, including Nainital and Mussoorie, while it has rained in most places in the plains, state MeT Director Vikram Singh told PTI.
The mountain peaks of Dhanolti near Mussoorie were covered in a white sheet while 'Chardham,' the four famous Himalayan shrines, are too covered with snow, he said.
Icy cold winds swept Chandigarh, with maximum temperature
dropping by over eight degrees to settle close to 13 degrees Celsius even as the city received 100 mm of rainfall since 5.30 pm yesterday, MeT officials said.

Several places in both the states were lashed by moderate to heavy rains, with maximum temperature settling in the range of 13-16 degrees Celsius at most places.
MeT officials said more rainfall is expected at many places in both the states till tomorrow.
In Rajasthan, Phalodi was the coldest place recording a minimum of 7.5 degrees Celsius followed by Sriganganagar at 8.5 degrees Celsius.
According to the MeT department, Pilani, Sriganganagar and Sawaimadhopur received traces of rainfall till this morning.
Fog prevailed in the northern region of the state affecting railway traffic. Eight trains, including New Delhi-Ajmer express, are running late due poor visibility, a railway spokesperson said.

In Bihar, Sabour in Bhagalpur district was the coldest recording a low of 7 degrees Celsius, while the state capital Patna enjoyed a sunny day despite foggy morning. The state MeT department said both maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to decline by a few notches tomorrow.