India, April 11 -- Western disturbances - storms originating west of India, usually in the Mediterranean region - that affected India's northern states in March did not just cool temperatures in that part of the country. They also led to a big spike in the amount of snow accumulated in India's northern states in the month, an HT analysis of satellite data shows. However, so far, this has not erased the deficit in snow built up in January and February completely.

The snow pack of India's hilly states in the north is important for several reasons. Apart from replenishing rivers, it also acts as temperature regulator for India's northern half. This is because winds blowing from the hills are often responsible for cooling temperatures in nor...