New Delhi | January 29, 2026
Severe weather conditions continue to impact large parts of North and Northwest India, with avalanches reported in the Himalayan region and rain accompanied by hailstorms bringing a sharp drop in temperatures across the plains. Cold winds from the snowbound hills have intensified the chill in Delhi and surrounding areas.
According to weather officials, a new western disturbance is expected to become active toward the end of the month, increasing the likelihood of heavy rainfall and snowfall across northwest India on February 1. The impact of ongoing snowfall in the higher reaches is already being felt in the national capital through icy winds and falling night temperatures.
Avalanches and Heavy Snowfall Disrupt Life in the Himalayas
Adverse weather conditions have severely affected the western Himalayan region. Continuous snowfall has triggered avalanches, damaging vehicles and resulting in the death of several livestock. While tourists have welcomed the fresh snow, local residents are facing major hardships due to blocked roads, power outages, and frozen water supply lines.
In Himachal Pradesh, following two days of heavy snowfall, an avalanche occurred late Tuesday night at Oat Nallah in Poolan Panchayat, located between the Bharmaur and Pangi subdivisions of Chamba district. Two ration-laden vehicles and three roadside shops were swept away by snow. Both vehicles were buried after being dragged into the stream. No casualties were reported. Authorities have issued fresh avalanche warnings for Thursday.
Roads Closed, Power and Water Supply Hit in Himachal
Fresh snowfall was recorded in Shimla and Manali late Tuesday night and early Wednesday. Due to the prevailing weather conditions, educational institutions in Manali will remain closed on Thursday.
As of Wednesday evening:
4 National Highways, including Manali–Leh, Ani–Kullu, Bharmaur–Pathankot, and Rampur–Kinnaur, were shut
885 roads remained blocked
3,237 power transformers were non-functional
121 drinking water schemes were disrupted
Tourists continue to remain stranded in parts of Manali, while the Seraj Valley in Mandi district has once again been covered under a thick blanket of snow.
Avalanches and Flight Disruptions in Jammu and Kashmir
A heavy avalanche struck Sonamarg in north Kashmir on Tuesday night, with large volumes of snow sliding down to residential areas. No loss of life was reported. District authorities in Ganderbal have advised residents to remain alert.
In Kishtwar district of the Jammu region, a landslide resulted in the death of dozens of livestock, including sheep and goats. Light to moderate snowfall was recorded across most parts of the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, on Wednesday morning. Due to poor visibility, eight morning flights at Srinagar Airport were canceled.
Army Launches Rescue Operations
Amid heavy snowfall in the Kashmir Valley, the Indian Army’s 46 Rashtriya Rifles conducted rescue operations in upper areas of Baramulla, assisting motorists stranded on snow-covered roads. Timely intervention ensured the safe movement of travelers.
Hail and Light Snowfall in Uttarakhand
In Mussoorie, light snowfall accompanied by hail was reported in the morning, temporarily covering large parts of the town in white and intensifying the cold. Higher-altitude regions such as Dhanaulti, Buranshkanda, and the Jaunpur hills also received light snowfall and hail.
Local tourism officials reported nearly two inches of snowfall at Atal Garden, following which a noticeable increase in tourist arrivals was observed.
Temperatures Drop in Punjab and Haryana
Rainfall across Punjab and Haryana led to a notable fall in temperatures. Punjab recorded a 2.1-degree Celsius drop in minimum temperatures, with Amritsar emerging as the coldest city at 3.7°C.
Dense fog reduced visibility to:
Less than 50 meters in Bathinda
190 meters in Ludhiana
150 meters in Faridkot
A yellow alert for rain has been issued for the next two days. In Haryana, Bhiwani recorded the lowest temperature at 5.5°C. Weather officials warn that conditions may remain unfavorable for three to four days after January 31 due to the impact of the western disturbance.
Thunderstorms and Rain in Eastern Rajasthan
Parts of eastern Rajasthan witnessed rainfall accompanied by strong winds and lightning, leading to cooler conditions. Manohar Thana in Jhalawar district recorded the highest rainfall at 26 mm. Nagaur reported the lowest temperature at 5.7°C.
The Meteorological Department indicated that from January 28 onward, most parts of the state are likely to remain dry, although strong winds could cause a further 3–4°C drop in temperatures.
