Wed Dec 25 01:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Pre-Christmas Snowstorm Blankets North India, Stranding Tourists
**New Delhi, India –** A pre-Christmas snowstorm has swept across several northern Indian states, causing widespread disruption and leaving tourists stranded. Heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand has led to the closure of 223 roads, including three national highways. The worst affected areas are Shimla (145 roads closed), Kullu (25), and Mandi (20), resulting in long traffic jams and stranded tourists.
In Jammu & Kashmir’s snow belt, temperatures plummeted below freezing, with Koniabal in Pampore recording the lowest at -8.5°C. Gulmarg experienced -7.4°C and Kazigund -6.2°C. Frozen water pipes are adding to the difficulties. Uttarakhand’s higher reaches also saw heavy snowfall, prompting authorities to relocate stray cattle from Badrinath to lower altitudes.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan and Delhi experienced rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast further temperature drops in Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan over the next two days. The IMD also issued weather alerts: heavy rain for five states on December 26th, hailstorms in eight states on December 27th, and hailstorms in two states on December 28th.
Rajasthan has already seen temperatures drop significantly, with nighttime temperatures in 12 cities falling below 10°C. The state anticipates rainfall in 25 districts. Similar cold weather is expected in Madhya Pradesh, with a possibility of hailstorms on December 27th and widespread fog and cold temperatures after. The IMD attributes this to a new western disturbance expected to affect the region.
First Piper 