An active western disturbance is affecting the northern states.
An active western disturbance is affecting Western Himalayan region and northern India, Meterological Department told ANI on Saturday.
The disturbance began affecting states like Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh from January 3. From Friday, it began affecting Punjab, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chandigarh and some parts of north Rajasthan, MeT Department's Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.
"There has been rainfall, snowfall at most places over J&K, Himachal and Uttarakhand. Maximum rainfall of 7 cms over Chandigarh in the past 24hrs. The western disturbance is expected to have impact for the next 24 hours for these regions. The intensity of rainfall will decrease gradually, " he said.
Mohapatra added, "From 8th night onwards, there will be fall of temperature by 3-5°C over the plains of North East India."
Delhiites woke up to a pleasant morning on Saturday with the minimum temperature settling at 11.5 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal. A MeT Department official said that visibility at Palam and Safdarjung oscillated between 700 to 800 metres. 70 trains are running late by several hours due to fog, a Railway spokesperson said.
The temperatures took a dip after light rain showers in the morning.
The weatherman has predicted light trains for Saturday evening or late night.
On Saturday morning, Shimla received heavy snowfall. All roads in Shimla, Kufri, Narkanda and Mashobra were closed and electricity supply was hampered in most of the areas. The cold wave intensified in Dharamsala and snowfall continued.
Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad received light rain showers and cold wave conditions continued to prevail.
In Uttarakhand, the upper reaches of Nainital received snowfall.
On Friday, the Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed for traffic due to bad weather, virtually cutting off the Valley from rest of the country. Kashmir University postponed all examinations scheduled for Saturday and Sunday due to the snowfall in the Valley.
The MET Office has forecast widespread snowfall or rains over the next two days also.
A "medium danger" avalanche warning was issued for some districts of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh for the next 24 hours, advising people not to venture into avalanche-prone areas. The warning is valid for avalanche-prone areas of Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Kishtwar, Rajauri, Doda, Poonch and Riyasi districts of Jammu and Kashmir for the next 24 hours, Snow and Avalanche Study Centre said. A "medium danger" warning was issued for some areas of Chamba and Lahaul and Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh.
With ANI and PTI inputs.
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