Jammu & Kashmir Administrative Services (JKPSC)

• 30 Dec 2024

Western Disturbance Across Northern India

Why in News? 

Due to a western disturbance, northern India experienced fresh snowfall in Kashmir and widespread rain in Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. 

 Key Points 

• Kashmir’s First Snowfall of the Season: 
  • Popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam, as well as districts like Bandipora, Baramulla, and Kupwara, reported fresh snowfall. 
  • The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted isolated light rain and snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir. 
• Rain and Cold Conditions: 
  • Incessant rains continued in Delhi marking the highest December rainfall in 15 years. 
  • Light to moderate rainfall was forecast for parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. 
    • Dense fog and rain in Rajasthan worsened cold conditions and visibility. 

 Western Disturbances 

• Western disturbances are storms that originate in the Caspian or Mediterranean Sea, and bring non-monsoonal rainfall to northwest India, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). 
• They are labelled as an extra-tropical storm originating in the Mediterranean, is an area of low pressure that brings sudden showers, snow and fog in northwest India. 
• The meaning of WD lies in its name. 
  • The disturbance travels from the “western” to the eastern direction. 
    • These travel eastwards on high-altitude westerly jet streams - massive ribbons of fast winds traversing the earth from west to east. 
  • Disturbance means an area of “disturbed” or reduced air pressure. 
    • Equilibrium exists in nature due to which the air in a region tries to normalise its pressure. 

 India Meteorological Department (IMD) 

• IMD was established in 1875. It is the National Meteorological Service of the country and the principal government agency in all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects. 
• It works as an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. 
• It is headquartered in New Delhi. 
• IMD is also one of the six Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres of the World Meteorological Organization.