New Delhi, India | January 28, 2026
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, issued a major weather warning for 13 states across North, Northwest, and Central India as an active western disturbance continues to impact large parts of the country.
According to IMD, widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, hailstorms, strong winds, and heavy snowfall in hill regions are expected, raising concerns over transportation, agriculture, and daily life amid already prevailing cold conditions.
🚨 IMD Alert Levels: Red and Orange Warnings Issued
IMD has issued Red and Orange Alerts for several regions, indicating potentially hazardous weather conditions:
Red Alert:
Delhi-NCR
Chandigarh
Punjab
Haryana
Rajasthan
These areas may experience heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and strong winds ranging from 40–60 km/h.
🌍 States Likely to Be Affected (13 States)
Rain and adverse weather conditions are forecast across the following states:
Himachal Pradesh
Punjab
Haryana
Delhi
Uttar Pradesh
Rajasthan
Madhya Pradesh
Tamil Nadu
Jammu & Kashmir
Uttarakhand
Bihar
Sikkim
West Bengal
❄️ Snowfall and Hailstorm Alerts
Heavy snowfall is expected in higher reaches of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, which may disrupt road connectivity and tourist movement.
Hailstorm warnings have been issued for parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR, posing risks to standing crops and vehicles.
🌡️ Sharp Drop in Temperatures Expected
IMD has warned that rainfall and cold northerly winds could lead to a 3–5°C drop in minimum temperatures across northwestern India over the next 2–3 days. This may result in the return of cold wave conditions, particularly during night and early morning hours.
🌬️ Another Western Disturbance Ahead
Meteorologists also indicated that another western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from the night of January 30, 2026. As a result:
Rain and snowfall may continue into early February (February 1–2)
Prolonged cold conditions could persist in northern states
✈️ Impact on Travel and Connectivity
Severe weather has already begun impacting transportation:
Flight operations at Srinagar Airport have been affected due to poor visibility and snowfall
Several major highways in the Kashmir Valley have been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure
Authorities have advised travelers to check advisories before planning journeys.
