Rains lash plains; snowfall in higher reaches

Srinagar, Feb 18: Plains in Kashmir experienced rain while the higher reaches including the ski-resort of Gulmarg received a fresh blanket of snowfall as the Meteorological Department forecasted a wet spell in Jammu and Kashmir till February 21.

On Sunday, Kashmir experienced a fresh spell of moderate snowfall in its mountainous regions, while the northern plains received light rainfall, leading to the closure of several vital intra-district roads.

From February 19 to 20, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain and snow at most places, with the possibility of heavy snowfall over the middle and higher reaches of several districts during the late afternoon of February 19 to February 20 night.

From February 21, there is a possibility of light to moderate snow at many places till late afternoon, with gradual improvement thereafter.

For the Jammu division, there is a possibility of light rain and snow in many places in the next 24 hours. From February 19 to 20, there is a possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning in the plains of the Jammu division, with light to moderate snowfall over higher reaches and heavy snowfall over isolated higher reaches of some districts.

On February 21, light to moderate snow, rain, thunder, and lightning are expected over many places till late evening, with gradual improvement thereafter.

According to officials, hilly areas, including Gulmarg ski resort, received moderate snowfall.

Gulmarg is set to host the 'Khelo India Winter Games' starting on February 21, and the snowfall has brought joy to both the administration and the participants.

Other hilly areas like Sonmarg in Ganderbal district, Gurez in Bandipora, and Machil, Tangdar, and Keran in Kupwara district also experienced moderate snowfall since early morning.

The plains witnessed light to moderate rainfall, which the Meteorological Department predicts would intensify towards the evening.

Due to the snowfall, several roads, including the Bhaderwah-Chamba Road, Mughal Road, and SSG Road, were closed for vehicular movement.

However, the crucial Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained operational.

Roads in Kupwara district including Keran, Machil, Tangdar, and Zojilla Pass in Sonmarg were also shut.

The Meteorological Department has forecast moderate rain and snowfall in Kashmir for the next four days.

“A strong Western Disturbance is expected to affect J&K till February 20. Moderate to very heavy rain and snowfall are expected in most parts of J&K under its influence,” said senior meteorologist, Muhammad Hussain Mir.

The Meteorological Department issued an advisory for farmers and tourists, warning them of possible road closures in higher altitudes and important passes like Sinthan Pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna Pass, Razdan Pass, and Zojila.

The tourists were advised to plan accordingly while the farmers were told to avoid activities like irrigation and fertiliser application during this period.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri assured that the administration was prepared to clear snow from roads.

“We are prepared to clear snow from the roads. Preparations are also complete for the Khelo India Winter Games that will be held in Gulmarg,” Bidhuri said.

The MeT officials here said that Srinagar recorded a low of 5.8 degrees Celsius, significantly higher than the previous night’s minus 3 degrees Celsius.

This temperature was 4.8 degrees Celsius above normal.

Qazigund recorded a minimum temperature of 3.8 degrees Celsius, which was 3.9 degrees Celsius above normal.

Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir recorded a low of 2.5 degrees Celsius, which was 6.9 degrees Celsius above the normal.

Kokernag in south Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of 5 degrees Celsius, which was 5.9 degrees Celsius above normal.

Kupwara town also received traces of rain, recording a low of 2.4 degrees Celsius, which was 2.6 degrees Celsius above normal.

Gulmarg received 3 cm of snowfall, with a low of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, which was 5.4 degrees Celsius above normal for the skiing resort.

Jammu recorded a minimum temperature of 13 degrees Celsius, which was 2.5 degrees Celsius above normal.

Banihal recorded a low of 7 degrees Celsius, Batote 8.1 degrees Celsius, and Bhaderwah 2.4 degrees Celsius.

AVALANCHE WARNING ISSUED

The Jammu and Kashmir State Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) issued a low-danger level avalanche warning on Sunday for Anantnag and Kulgam districts for the next 24 hours.

The warning said that the avalanche was likely above 2500 metres over the Anantnag and Kulgam districts.

The JKDMA also issued a warning of an avalanche with a medium danger level over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, Bandipore, Baramulla, 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.

ALTAF BABA reports from Baramulla

The uninterrupted rains lashed plain areas of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Sunday.

However, in the upper reaches of the district which include Rafiabad and Tangmarg, moderate snowfall was received

In the Rafiabad area of Baramulla district, the upper reaches of the area including Ladua Ladoora Rafiabad, Braman, Hamam Markoot, and Shalkote received moderate snowfall.

In Baramulla town, the traffic movement was disrupted for some time after a landslide near Eco Park caused the boulders to crash down the hillock.

However, the incident did not cause any damage.

Following the Indian Metrological Department (IMD)’s forecast of heavy snowfall in the coming days, the Baramulla district administration asked the residents to take precautionary measures while travelling.

The health officials of the district too had been directed not to leave the station without prior permission and remain in the high state of readiness about manpower, machinery, and ambulances with anti-skid chains kept on standby on the roadside.

SUMIT BHARGAV reports from Rajouri

A fresh spell of rainfall in the plains and snowfall in the upper reaches on Sunday intensified cold conditions in the Rajouri and Poonch districts of the Pir Panjal region.

Power curtailment in some areas further increased the hardships of people.

As per the forecast, the weather turned inclement in parts of Rajouri and Poonch districts early Sunday morning as rains lashed plain areas while upper reaches received snowfall.

Rains in low-lying areas and snowfall in upper reaches continued when last reports poured in.

Due to rains and snowfall, surface connectivity was also affected due to slippery conditions on main roads. Some under-construction roads have also got blocked, due to severe slippery conditions.

Meanwhile, locals from some areas of Rajouri complained about electricity snap amid bad weather conditions.

“Electricity in our villages has been snapped since morning. This has badly affected even our routine activities,” locals from Phalni and Kewal villages of Budhal rued. “Power curtailment in bad weather conditions is a big problem for people,” they added.

People from some other areas also complained about erratic power supply. They appealed to the Power Development Department to ensure proper electricity supply during inclement weather conditions.

On being contacted, Deputy SP Traffic Rajouri Poonch, Muhammad Nawaz said that vehicular movement on all main roads was normal. “However, traffic movement was affected on a few link roads, which have yet not been constructed completely,” he said.

Deputy SP Traffic Rajouri-Poonch, however, appealed to people to follow traffic advisories for roads to ensure safe driving.