Fresh snowfall in Gulmarg, Gurez; MeT predicts more from tonight

Major weather activity from tonight: MeT; Sgr-Jmu highway closed for vehicular movement

Srinagar, Mar 01:The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir's Baramulla and Gurez Valley in district Bandipora received fresh snowfall on Friday evening, reports said. In plains like Srinagar, it has been raining intermittently since Friday morning.

The weatherman has predicted more snow from tonight as tonight begins the first day of three-day wet spell predicted by the Meteorological department.

The weather office said that the inclement weather would peak on the night of Marc 01 and March 02.

As per the news agency KNO, several parts of Kashmir including Gurez, Gulmarg, Sadhna Top, Razdan Pass, Chowkibal Kupwara and Machil received fresh snowfall today.

However, the intermittent light rains lashed plains of Kashmir including the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar.

Director Meteorological department, Dr Mukhar Ahmad told KNO that widespread moderate rain and snow is expected over most places of J&K till 3rd March (afternoon) with peak activity on 1st night to 2nd night of March.

He said that a few places may experience heavy to very heavy snow particularly over higher reaches of north Kashmir, Central & South Kashmir & Pir Panjal range of Jammu division during 1st March night to 2nd March late night.

“Plains of Kashmir may receive moderate rain and snow while plains of Jammu may receive moderate rain with possibility of heavy Rain over Ramban, Udhampur & Reasi districts during 1st March to 2nd March late night,” he said.

A few places may experience thunder, lightning, hailstorm accompanied by gusty winds (30-40 KMPH) during 1st & 2nd March, he said, adding that no significant weather activity thereafter till 10th March is expected.

However, he said that there is a possibility of light rain and snow at scattered places during the night of 6th March to 7th March.

In this regard, the weatherman has issued an advisory, saying that in view of heavy to very heavy snowfall over few middle & higher reaches, the travelers, tourists are advised to plan accordingly & follow administration, traffic police advisory.

“General public over hilly areas are advised not to venture in avalanche prone and hilly areas. Follow avalanche warnings & advisories,” the advisory reads, adding that there are chances of landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at few places.

The farmers are advised to suspend farm operations till 3rd March.

Meanwhile, the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained closed for vehicular movement today after the fresh wet spell triggered shooting stones in Kishtwar.

“The traffic movement has been stopped at present due to the shooting stones at Kishtwar Pather on Srinagar-Jammu highway,” the officials said and appealed people to avoid raveling on NH-44 till the weather improves and road is cleared.