Sun Jan 25 06:50:00 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Harsh Winter Grips North India: Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Life, Cold Wave Intensifies
The Story:
North India is currently experiencing severe winter conditions characterized by heavy snowfall in the Himalayan regions and rainfall across the plains, leading to a sharp drop in minimum temperatures. The states of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are particularly affected, with major roads blocked for the second consecutive day due to heavy snowfall, hindering transportation and supply chains. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for dense fog in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, West Bengal and Sikkim for January 25th and 26th. Rainfall with thunderstorms is expected in Tamil Nadu on Sunday and in Kerala on January 26th. Gujarat is likely to see a gradual rise in minimum temperatures over the next three days.
Delhi experienced a significant drop in minimum temperature after rainfall, with the Safdarjung observatory recording a minimum of 7.6 degrees Celsius, slightly above normal but a major decrease from Friday’s 13.7 degrees Celsius. While air quality in Delhi improved, minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to remain below normal. Flight operations at Srinagar Airport resumed as weather conditions improved. However, night temperatures in most parts of Kashmir remained significantly below freezing point, with Gulmarg recording the lowest temperature at minus 12 degrees Celsius. Road clearing operations are underway to restore traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which remained closed for the second day due to slippery conditions. Himachal Pradesh is also grappling with severe cold, with over 680 roads, including two national highways, blocked due to heavy snowfall.
Key Points:
- Heavy snowfall in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh has blocked major roads, disrupting transportation.
- IMD forecasts dense fog in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, West Bengal, and Sikkim on January 25th and 26th.
- Rainfall with thunderstorms expected in Tamil Nadu on Sunday and in Kerala on January 26th.
- Delhi’s minimum temperature dropped significantly to 7.6 degrees Celsius.
- Srinagar Airport flight operations resumed, but night temperatures remain below freezing. Gulmarg recorded minus 12 degrees Celsius.
- Srinagar-Jammu National Highway closed due to snow, causing hundreds of travelers to be stranded; rescue operations are underway.
- Over 680 roads blocked in Himachal Pradesh due to snowfall, impacting power supply to thousands of homes.
- Rajasthan’s night temperatures are near freezing, with Loonkaransar recording 0.3 degrees Celsius.
- Punjab and Haryana also experiencing severe cold; Bathinda recorded 0.8 degrees Celsius.
Key Takeaways:
- The current weather pattern across North India presents significant challenges for transportation, infrastructure, and daily life.
- IMD forecasts suggest continued cold and foggy conditions in the coming days, requiring preparedness and caution.
- Rescue and relief efforts are crucial to assist those stranded due to road closures and power outages.
- The impact of the western disturbance is being widely felt, influencing weather patterns across multiple states.
- While Delhi’s air quality improved, the focus must remain on managing the infrastructure challenges posed by the severe cold.
First Piper 