A fresh spell of intense rain has triggered a mudslide in the Chamba Seri region of Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, forcing the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and halting vehicular movement on both sides. The disruption follows the Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) yellow alert, issued for several northern and central Indian states, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and potential travel hazards.
Highway closure and travel advisory issued
Traffic authorities in Jammu and Kashmir urged people to avoid NH-44 travel on Thursday morning due to the dangerous road conditions caused by the mudslide. The highway, a vital link connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India, remains blocked until further notice.
Rain warnings across multiple states
The IMD’s yellow alert, effective from May 9 to May 12, warns of adverse weather in Jammu and Kashmir. Other affected states include Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Telangana, all expected to receive rainfall until May 11. Punjab and Haryana are likely to see showers on May 10 and 11.
Rising temperatures in the east and northwest
Alongside the rains, a temperature increase of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius is projected across East India over the next three days, with similar warming expected across Northwest India during the next week. These fluctuations are typical of transitional weather patterns in early May.
Rain and snow in the hills, thunderstorms in plains
Shimla reported a fresh spell of rain on Tuesday, while higher altitudes are expected to see snowfall. According to the IMD, light to moderate rainfall is forecast for the plains and mid-hill regions until May 8, with thunderstorms, gusty winds, and nighttime rain likely to persist over the next four to five days. Affected districts include Chamba, Kangra, Una, Bilaspur, and Hamirpur, while isolated hailstorms may hit Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Solan, Sirmaur, and Kangra.
Above-average May rainfall, with local disparities
Despite a 22% above-normal rainfall for May so far, the precipitation has been uneven. While six districts recorded higher-than-usual rainfall, others like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti reported deficits. Most districts remain near average, reflecting the region’s climatic variability during the pre-monsoon period.