MeT predicts snow, rain from Saturday

Srinagar, Feb 15: In the wake of moderate to intense Western Disturbance hitting J&K on Saturday, the Meteorological Department Thursday issued a detailed advisory even as minimum temperatures stayed below the freezing point in Kashmir.

“A moderate to intense Western Disturbance is most likely to affect J&K and adjoining areas during February 17 night to February 21 forenoon. Under the influence of this system, widespread light to moderate rain and snow is expected in J&K with heavy snowfall over few higher reaches with main activity during February 18 to February 20,” the MeT said in an advisory sent to Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.

“The system is likely to cause heavy rain and snow over the Pirpanjal range and higher reaches of Kashmir division including Anantnag, Pahalgam, Kulgam, Shopian, Pir Ki Gali, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Zojila axis, Bandipora-Razdan Pass, and Kupwara-Sadhna Pass,” the advisory said. 

PROBABLE IMPACTS

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

Travellers and tourists have been advised to plan accordingly given the inclement weather.

People in snow-bound areas have been asked to avoid venturing into the slope and avalanche-prone areas. Farmers have been advised to withhold irrigation, fertiliser, and chemical spray activities during this period. 

SIGNIFICANT FALL IN DAY TEMPERATURES

Meanwhile, Kashmir continued to experience sub-zero temperatures with Srinagar recording a low of minus 3 degrees Celsius.

The MeT officials here said that while the temperature remained the same the previous night, it was 3.2 degrees Celsius below normal for this time of year.

Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 2 degrees Celsius, unchanged from the previous night but 1.9 degrees Celsius below the normal.

Pahalgam health resort recorded a low of minus 5.4 degrees Celsius, slightly below the previous night's minus 5.2 degrees Celsius and 1 degree Celsius below normal.

Kokernag resort maintained a minimum of minus 0.2 degrees Celsius, the same as the previous night but above normal by 1.1 degrees Celsius.

In north Kashmir, Kupwara recorded a low of minus 3.3 degrees Celsius, slightly higher than the previous night's minus 3.4 degrees Celsius but 3.1 degrees Celsius C below normal.

Gulmarg ski resort in north Kashmir saw a low of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, up from the previous night's minus 4.2 degrees Celsius and above normal by 3.6 degrees Celsius.