Chandigarh, March 30: A prolonged period of rainfall and high-altitude snowfall has delayed the onset of spring warmth across North India, with weather experts predicting the damp conditions to persist through the first week of April. Substantial precipitation was recorded across the region Sunday, with Kangra receiving 18.5 mm of rain, followed closely by Solan and Manali.
The meteorological department affirmed that an orange alert is currently in place for isolated parts of Mandi, Shimla, and Kullu. The warning includes the potential for hailstorms and high-velocity winds, which have already contributed to a sharp decline in mercury levels.
In the agricultural heartland of Punjab and Haryana, the unseasonal weather has become a point of significant worry. Agricultural experts stated that the combination of gusty winds and rain poses a direct threat to the wheat harvest. In cities like Ludhiana and Ambala, temperatures have stayed well below the norm, while Una recorded a maximum of 28.6°C.
“Several regions continue to experience snowfall, rainfall, and below-normal temperatures,” a spokesperson for the meteorological office declared. The official maintained that the current transition is far more gradual than the abrupt seasonal shifts seen in previous years.
Meanwhile, in the national capital, New Delhi maintained moderate air quality with an AQI of 166. Forecasters asserted that thunderstorms accompanied by rain are likely to impact the city later in the evening. With another western disturbance expected to arrive by April 2, the region is bracing for an extended period of atmospheric instability before spring fully takes hold.
