Though the intense weather activity is expected to benefit fruit crops, it may damage standing mustard crop and disrupt road traffic in the hill states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the Indian Meteorological Department(IMD) Director General L S Rathod told reporters here.
"There is possibility of extreme weather condition in the form of thunderstorm in plains of north-west India, with expectation of sporadic hail activity as well. The extent as well as amount of precipitation is likely to extend from north west mountainous to the northern plain and even upto parts of Gujarat and West Madhya Pradesh," he said.
The temporary weather system is expected to begin on the evening of February 3 and could reach its peak two days later.
Asked about the areas which will experience change in weather, Rathod said, "On February 4 and 5 fairly widespread or even intense rain or snowfall activity is expected over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
In the plains it is expected over North Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Western Uttar Pradesh and plains of Uttarakhand including Delhi."
Warnings have been sent to road transport authorities in these areas. IMD Officials also said that the Jammu-Srinagar highway could be closed after the intense snowfall in the region.
On the impact over agriculture, he said it may cause harm to mustard crop.
"Rain is always good for agriculture. For principal crop in place--wheat--it is very good. For early or very early sown mustard, which is the second largest crop, if there is hail, then in a localised way there may be some damage," Rathod said. (More)
