Weather Woes: Showers and Advisories Grip Northern India

Light rains swept across Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, with the Meteorological Department predicting intermittent cloudy skies for the next four days. Meanwhile, a recent mudslide has halted vehicular flow along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, impacting travel across the region.

The Jammu and Kashmir traffic police issued a travel advisory, urging commuters to refrain from using National Highway-44 until conditions improve. The Indian Meteorological Department has put the region on a yellow alert for thunderstorms and lightning anticipated from May 9 to May 12.

Broader weather patterns indicate widespread rainfall likely to affect states including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and others until May 11. Punjab and Haryana may also see rain spells during this period. A gradual temperature increase is projected for East India over the next three days, with similar patterns in Northwest India over the upcoming week.

Recent rainfall has been observed in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, with forecasts predicting more rain in plains and mid-hill regions until May 8. Higher altitudes might encounter snowfall, and thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds remain a nighttime concern. Isolated hailstorms are expected in select districts.

According to IMD, May's rainfall exceeds normal levels by 22% in the state, though districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti report lower than average rainfall. Six other districts have recorded higher than usual precipitation.

(With inputs from agencies.)