Western Disturbance Brings Weather Chaos Across India

Pune, 29 March, 2024: Since March 29, the Western Disturbance has caused significant changes in the weather patterns throughout India. The most urgent issue is in Jammu and Kashmir, where there was snowfall and an avalanche near Sonamarg. Search and rescue efforts were driven by the avalanche that trapped two cars. As a result, the avalanche threat has forced the closure of the Srinagar-Leh highway.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), there could be hailstorms in 19 states on March 30, along with significant rain and snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Orange alerts are issued to indicate the impending arrival of heavy rain and wind in Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. In the same manner, heavy rain is predicted for Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.

Extreme heatwaves in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh are prevailing. On March 29, Akola, Maharashtra, registered the nation’s highest temperature—a startling 42.6 degrees Celsius. Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh and Guna, Andhra Pradesh’s Nandyal, and Maharashtra’s Parbhani are also experiencing extreme heat with 40 degrees celsius.

The IMD issued a heatwave alert for multiple parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh on March 30, with relief expected from April 1. With May being the hottest month, IMD scientist Naresh Kumar warns of extended above-normal temperatures in April and May, predicting severe heatwaves, especially in central India during April.

On the other hand, showers and thunderstorms are likely in the state of Rajasthan, where hail is possible in 15 districts. The Western Disturbance persists, and daytime temperatures are predicted to decline by 2–3 degrees Celsius. On March 30, there are chances of rain and lightning in the areas of Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Churu, Sikar, Karauli, Jhunjhunu, Dholpur, Dausa, Bharatpur, and Alwar. The weather forecast for the state shows a drop of a degree or two in temperature by the next day, and most of the day is expected to be below 40 degrees.