Himachal and Uttarakhand Face Snow Alerts; Rain Expected in Plains

While the plains of India deal with rising temperatures, the Himalayan states are preparing for a bout of winter-like weather. The IMD has issued alerts for Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, predicting a combination of rain, snowfall, and thunderstorms between April 16 and 19. Some high-altitude areas are also on alert for hailstorms. This mountain activity is influencing the weather in neighboring Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, where light rain is expected today. The cooling effect from the hills is one of the primary reasons for the predicted rainfall in the national capital today, providing a temporary shield against the advancing summer heat.

In Rajasthan, the weather is also shifting. Jaipur and several other districts are likely to witness light rainfall today due to the influence of a Western Disturbance. This comes as a major relief to a state that often experiences the brunt of early summer heatwaves. However, the contrast remains sharp in Central India. Madhya Pradesh is currently under a heatwave alert, with temperatures soaring to 43 degrees Celsius. The regional weather office has urged people to avoid outdoors during peak hours as the hot winds, known locally as ‘Loo,’ are expected to intensify over the coming days.