New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rain and snowfall over the next two to three days in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh due to an intense western disturbance. The IMD has also issued an "orange alert" for these regions. This is the first intense western disturbance of the season, and its impact is expected to be felt in northwest and central India until October 17, according to the IMD. The weather office has noted the formation of a cyclonic circulation over central Pakistan due to the western disturbance, and it is likely to intensify and merge with a fresh western disturbance on October 15. This system is expected to draw moisture from the Arabian Sea, potentially leading to increased rainfall in northwest India during the same period, the IMD has stated. Punjab is expected to experience heavy rain on Monday, and regions including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan could witness thunderstorms and lightning. Western disturbances are weather systems originating in the Mediterranean region that bring unseasonal rainfall to northwest India. The IMD has also pointed out that dry northwesterly winds from the Himalayas may bring temperatures down by 2 to 4 notches over northwest India starting from October 17. NGT Seeks Report From NHAI Over Highway Construction in Beas Floodplains The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a panel and requested a report from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding alleged highway construction in the floodplains of the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh. The NGT was responding to a plea that claimed NHAI was constructing a four-lane highway from Kiratpur to Manali and Pathankot to Mandi in a flood-prone area near the Beas River. A bench comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel, hearing the petition, stated that it was "proper to call for a report" from the relevant authorities on the issue. Sanjay Raut Criticizes Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Over Delay in Disqualification Proceedings The Mahadev Betting App: Unmasking the D-Company Connection Political Controversy Erupts Over Release of Muslim Prisoners in Tamil Nadu