MeT forecasts heavy snowfall in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 28:  Kashmir is preparing for a major snowfall forecasted from Thursday evening, which is expected to disrupt surface and air transport, officials said Wednesday.

The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has issued an advisory in anticipation of heavy snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, warning of potential disruptions to transportation.

The weather is predicted to be partly cloudy with light snowfall in isolated higher reaches during Wednesday night.

“An active Western Disturbance is likely to impact Jammu and Kashmir and adjacent areas starting from the evening of February 29, with widespread moderate rain and snow expected from the night of February 29 to the afternoon of March 3, peaking on March 2,” they said. “This system is most likely to cause heavy to very heavy rain or snow over the Pir Panjal range and the middle and higher reaches of Kashmir division including Anantnag, Pahalgam, Kulgam, Sinthan Pass, Shupiyan, Pir Ki Gali, Sonamarg, Zojila, Bandipora, Razdan Pass, Gulmarg, Kupwara, and Sadhna Pass.”

This weather activity is likely to disrupt surface and air transport, including the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and other major roads in the middle and higher reaches of J&K.

The residents in snow-bound areas have been advised to avoid venturing into slippery and avalanche-prone areas.

The authorities have warned of possible landslides, mudslides, and falling stones, especially in vulnerable areas.

The farmers have also been advised to suspend all agricultural operations during the first week of March.

After a prolonged dry spell earlier this year, Kashmir has experienced two significant spells of snowfall in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, night-time temperatures in Kashmir improved and remained above normal in all major stations.

The minimum temperature in Srinagar was recorded at 4.5 degrees Celsius, up from 1 degree Celsius the previous night, which was 3 degrees Celsius above normal.

Qazigund had a low of 2 degrees Celsius while Kokernag in south Kashmir settled at 1.1 degrees Celsius.

Gulmarg remained the coldest place with a low of minus 5.6 degrees Celsius while Pahalgam settled at minus 2.6 degrees Celsius.

Kupwara had a low of 1 degree Celsius.