Fresh snowfall in upper reaches, rains in plains

Srinagar, Mar 1:  Hilly areas of Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall while rains lashed plains while the Meteorological Department (MeT) predicted intense precipitation during the next 24 hours.

Officials said that overnight snowfall was recorded in higher reaches of Kashmir including tourist spots like Gulmarg, Tangmarg, and Doodhpathri while the plains including Srinagar saw rainfall.

The MeT forecasted widespread moderate rain or snow across most places of J&K until March 3, with the peak expected on Friday night to March 2.

Heavy to very heavy snowfall is likely in higher reaches of north, central, and south Kashmir as well as the Pir Panjal range during this period.

“This system is most likely to cause heavy to very heavy rain and snow over Pir Panjal range and middle and higher reaches of Kashmir division in Anantnag, Pahalgam, Kulgam, Sinthan Pass, Shopian, Pir Ki Gali, Sonamarg, Zojila, Bandipora, Razdan Pass, Gulmarg, Kupwara and Sadhna Pass,” the advisory read.

The weather activity might lead to disruption of surface and air transport including the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and other major roads of the middle and higher reaches of J&K.

It urged people in snow-bound areas to avoid venturing into avalanche-prone regions and areas with slopes.

“Chances of landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones are most likely over the vulnerable areas,” it said. “Farmers have been advised to withhold all farm operations during the first week of March.”

The plains of Kashmir may receive moderate rain or snow while the plains of Jammu might experience moderate rain with the possibility of heavy rain in Ramban, Udhampur, and Reasi districts.

Thunder, lightning, hailstorms, and gusty winds are also expected in some places.

Due to adverse weather conditions, authorities have extended winter vacations for schools in Kashmir.

A MeT official said that Srinagar recorded a minimum of 4.5 degrees Celsius against the previous night’s 2.1 degrees Celsius, below normal by 3 degrees Celsius for this time of the year.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius and minus 5.6 degrees Celsius the previous night, above normal by 2.6 degrees Celsius.

Qazigund recorded a minimum of 2.4 degrees Celsius against minus 1 degree Celsius the previous night and 2 degrees Celsius above normal.

Pahalgam recorded a low of 1.3 degrees Celsius against minus 4.4 degrees Celsius the previous night and 2 degrees Celsius above normal.

Kokernag recorded a minimum of 2.3 degrees Celsius against minus 0.4 degrees Celsius the previous night, above normal by minus 0.4 degrees Celsius.

Kupwara recorded a low of minus 2.3 degrees Celsius against 1.7 degrees Celsius the previous night and 1.3 degrees Celsius below normal.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) Friday issued an avalanche warning in the higher reaches of nine districts of J&K during the next 24 hours.

An avalanche with a “medium danger” level is likely to occur above 2200 metres over Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Ganderbal districts of Kashmir in the next 24 hours.

A similar warning has also been issued for the people living above 2200 metres over the Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, and Reasi districts of Jammu division during the next 24 hours.

People living in these areas have been advised to take precautions and avoid venturing into the avalanche-prone areas till further orders.