India: Adverse weather forecast across northern regions through at least Feb. 4

Severe weather is forecast across parts of northern India through at least Feb. 4. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a press release warning of a wet spell over western Himalayan regions and adjoining plains through Feb. 4, with a peak in the severe weather likely Jan. 31-Feb. 1. Heavy snowfall, rainfall, hailstorms, and strong chilly winds are likely in parts of the affected area over the coming days. Severe weather is also forecast in parts of northeastern India through at least Feb. 3.

The IMD has issued the following severe weather warnings Jan. 30-Feb. 3:

Jan. 30

• Yellow thunderstorm and lightning warnings (the lowest level on a three-tier scale): Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Sikkim, and sub-Himalayan West Bengal.

Jan. 31

• Orange heavy rain and heavy snow warnings: Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Uttarakhand.

• Orange thunderstorm and lightning warnings: Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Punjab.

• Orange hail warnings: Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand.

• Yellow thunderstorm and lightning warnings: Arunachal Pradesh, western Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Gangetic West Bengal.

• Yellow hail warnings: Sikkim and sub-Himalayan West Bengal.

Feb. 1

• Orange heavy rain, heavy snow, thunderstorm, and lightning warnings: Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

• Yellow thunderstorm and lightning warnings: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Gangetic West Bengal.

• Yellow hail warnings: Uttarakhand.

Feb. 2

• Yellow heavy rain and heavy snow warnings: Arunachal Pradesh.

• Yellow thunderstorm and lighting warnings: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura.

• Yellow hail warnings: Sikkim and sub-Himalayan West Bengal.

Feb. 3

• Yellow thunderstorm and lightning warnings: Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, western Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

Officials could update and possibly extend the coverage of weather alerts over the coming days.

Where precipitation falls as rain, flash and areal flooding is possible. Such flooding is possible in low-lying communities near watercourses and other large bodies of water, as well as in urban areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream of large reservoirs may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall.

Where precipitation falls as snow in higher elevations, wind gusts could cause blowing and drifting snow; decreased visibility is likely in mountainous areas. Rain-induced landslides cannot be discounted in areas of elevated terrain; there is also the possibility of avalanches in mountainous areas where the snowpack has become unstable due to heavy snowfall. Power outages could occur throughout the affected area.

Floodwaters and related debris may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around the affected area. Flooding in urban areas could also result in significant traffic congestion. Heavy snow will likely make driving hazardous in some areas; authorities could implement temporary road closures or detours in such locations. Mountain passes and tunnels could be closed as a precautionary measure during periods of intense snowfall. Accumulations of snow could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are possible in areas that see heavy rainfall and potential track blockages.