Heavy Rain Alert: The weather is turning harsh in many parts of the country. Rain is falling in many areas amid the bitter cold and cold wave. The effects of a western disturbance are visible in North India. On Thursday, light rain was recorded in Jammu and Kashmir as well as Delhi.

Heavy Rain Alert: The effects of a Western Disturbance are being felt in many areas of North India. The India Meteorological Department has predicted light to moderate rain in the Western Himalayan region over the next two days. Snowfall is also likely. According to the Meteorological Department, dense to very dense fog is likely to occur during the night and morning hours at many places in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha over the next five to seven days, and at isolated places in Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan over the next three to four days.

Cold wave alert in these areas

• According to the India Meteorological Department, cold wave conditions may continue at different places in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on the first day of the new year (1 January 2026).
• There is a possibility of cold day in Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh and Delhi on January 1 and 2.
• There is a high possibility of cold day conditions in Bihar during 1 to 3 January 2026.
• There is a possibility of cold wave in Himachal Pradesh during January 1 to 4.
• Cold wave alert is likely to remain in Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi during January 2 to 5.
• There is a high possibility of cold wave conditions at different places in Rajasthan during January 4 to 7.

Kashmir welcomes New Year with snowfall

The western disturbance is having the maximum impact in Kashmir. The weather has shown its harsh side on the very first day of the new year. Here the new year started with snowfall in the high hill areas. However, the Meteorological Department has predicted improvement in the weather in many areas. IMD said that fresh snowfall occurred in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg on Thursday. Apart from this, fresh snowfall was recorded in high altitude areas like Guruji's Tulail valley, Rajdan Top of Bandipora, Machhil and Sadhna Top of Kupwara including Zojila Pass.

Chance of rain and snow

The Meteorological Department predicts that the effects of the Western Disturbance may persist for a day or two. Due to this, light rain or snowfall is likely in some areas. According to the Meteorological Department, isolated areas may experience light rain or snowfall on Friday as well. Officials reported that due to the presence of clouds, night temperatures were above the seasonal average, and the mercury remained above the freezing point in most places. According to the IMD, the minimum temperature in Pahalgam, Kashmir, was recorded at minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, which is 6.3 degrees above normal. Meanwhile, the mercury in Qazigund was 2 degrees Celsius, which is five degrees above normal. Kashmir is currently experiencing Chilla-e-Kalan, a 40-day period of extreme cold. During this period, night temperatures typically drop several degrees below freezing, making snowfall more likely.

Severe cold in Delhi, possibility of rain

The national capital began the New Year on Thursday with cold and cloudy weather. The minimum temperature was recorded at 10.6 degrees Celsius, and the weather department has predicted light rain during the day. According to the India Meteorological Department, light rain was recorded in the Palam area early Thursday morning. According to the IMD, the minimum temperature in Delhi-NCR is expected to drop further. The cold may intensify from January 3. The arrival of cold winds from the Himalayan region may intensify the severe cold in Delhi.

Mumbai begins new year with rain

Heavy rain lashed several parts of Mumbai on Thursday morning, giving Mumbaikars a pleasant start to the New Year. Rain showers greeted the first morning of the year with a few drops of rain. The rain began before 6 a.m., with some areas receiving heavy rainfall while others received light showers.

 PC:Prabhat Khabar