Rains lash plains, higher reaches receive snowfall

Srinagar, Apr 15: Kashmir was hit by widespread light to moderate rain, with some higher reaches experiencing fresh light snowfall for the second consecutive day on Monday, leading to a drop in temperatures.

Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir experienced widespread light to moderate rainfall over the past 24 hours, forcing tourists and locals to bundle up against the cold.

The rainfall also caused water-logging in many low-lying areas, adding to the difficulties faced by the residents.

The Meteorological Department (MeT) officials in Srinagar had forecast the weather would remain cloudy Monday with intermittent light rain or snow in higher reaches at many places until the afternoon, followed by a gradual improvement.

On April 16 and 17, the weather is expected to remain cloudy with light rain in isolated places, while on April 18 and 19, there are chances of light rain and snow over higher reaches in many places with thunder and lightning. The weather is expected to remain generally dry from April 20 to April 25, with the possibility of afternoon thundershower activity.

Given the inclement weather, the MeT office issued an advisory for the farmers to suspend farm operations until April 16.

The MeT office also warned of a temporary disruption of surface transportation over a few higher reaches and advised travellers and tourists to plan their trips accordingly.

There is also a possibility of landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones due to weather vagaries at high altitudes.

According to rainfall data available with the MeT office, Srinagar received 27.6 mm of rain, Qazigund 41.4 mm, Pahalgam 22.2 mm, Kupwara 28.5 mm, Kokernag 23.2 mm, and Gulmarg 39.8 mm during the past 24 hours.

The night temperature in Srinagar recorded during the intervening nights of Sunday and Monday was 8 degrees Celsius, which was 0.4 degrees Celsius above normal for this time of year.

The maximum temperature in Srinagar was recorded at 11.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday, which was 8.2 degrees Celsius below normal.

Other weather stations in Kashmir also recorded temperatures 5 to 9 degrees Celsius below normal.

Pahalgam had a low of 5.7 degrees Celsius, Kupwara 7.2 degrees Celsius, and Gulmarg 1.2 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, J&K Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) issued an avalanche warning in the higher reaches of two districts of Kashmir during the next 24 hours, officials said.

An avalanche with a “medium danger” level is likely to occur above 2400 metres over the Kupwara and Ganderbal districts in 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.

Widespread rains lashed Kashmir during the past two days and some upper reaches also received fresh snowfall, prompting authorities to issue a fresh avalanche warning as a precautionary measure for the people.

The authorities have also asked the people living in these districts to dial 112 for help in case of any emergency.