Mudslide Halts Traffic as Rainy Spell Sweeps Across Northern India

A mudslide has obstructed the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway following warnings of heavy rain and thunderstorms across North India. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for multiple states, expecting varying degrees of rainfall and a gradual temperature rise, impacting public safety and transportation.

A mudslide in the Chamba Seri region of Ramban in Jammu and Kashmir has led to the suspension of vehicular movement on both sides of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The Jammu and Kashmir traffic police issued a travel advisory on Thursday morning, cautioning commuters against traveling on NH-44 until weather conditions improve.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has released a yellow alert from May 9 to May 12 for Jammu and Kashmir, predicting thunderstorms and lightning. States including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Telangana are likely to experience rain until May 11, while Punjab and Haryana may see rain on May 10 and 11.

A temperature rise of approximately 3 to 5 degrees is expected over East India for the next three days, as predicted by the IMD on May 7. Similar temperature trends are likely in Northwest India over the next seven days. Notably, Shimla experienced fresh rainfall on Tuesday afternoon.

The IMD forecasts light to moderate rain in the plains and mid-hill regions until May 8, with snowfall predicted for higher altitudes. These weather patterns are expected to continue for the next four to five days, along with nighttime thunderstorms and gusty winds, particularly affecting the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Una, Bilaspur, and Hamirpur. Isolated hailstorms are expected in Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Solan, Sirmaur, and Kangra. Despite a 22% above-normal rainfall for May so far, some districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti have reported below-average rainfall, while six districts recorded higher than normal precipitation, with the rest near average.

(With inputs from agencies.)