Wed Dec 25 01:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Heavy Snowfall Blankets North India; IMD Issues Cold Wave and Storm Warnings

**NEW DELHI, INDIA** – A severe weather system is impacting India, bringing heavy snowfall to several northern states and prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue warnings for various regions.

The IMD’s Mausam Samachar reported significant snowfall in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand. This has led to a drop in temperatures across Ladakh, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh. Srinagar recorded temperatures seven degrees below normal, and Sonmarg experienced heavy overnight snowfall. Popular pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalayas, including Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Hemkund Sahib, are also experiencing heavy snowfall.

The IMD warns that an active western disturbance will affect northwest and central India starting the night of December 26th, bringing rain and thunderstorms to south India. A cold wave is expected in parts of Himachal Pradesh on December 25th, with potential extension to other areas including Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, and Chandigarh. Dense fog is predicted for parts of Bihar and Rajasthan from the night of December 25th to the morning of December 26th, with lingering fog in several other states until December 27th.

Further weather predictions include:

* **December 25th:** Rain, thunderstorms, and lightning likely in some areas; strong cold wave in parts of Himachal Pradesh.
* **December 25th-26th:** Rain and storms in Karaikal and Puducherry.
* **December 26th-27th:** Rain, thunderstorms, and lightning in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Similar conditions possible in West Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Punjab on December 27th.
* **December 26th-28th:** Rain and thunderstorms in central and western India (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh).
* **December 27th-28th:** More snowfall and rain in the Western Himalayas; light snowfall in higher reaches of Jammu & Kashmir.
* **December 26th:** Hailstorms possible in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, central Maharashtra, west Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, and Marathwada.
* **December 27th-28th:** Hailstorms possible in Vidarbha and Madhya Pradesh.

The IMD advises residents to stay updated on weather forecasts and take necessary precautions.

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