Snowfall in Kashmir, Ladakh

Srinagar, Jan 31: Kashmir and Ladakh received fresh snowfall and rains during the last 24 hours while the Meteorological Department (MeT) predicted more precipitation during the next 24 hours.

The MeT issued a prediction of cloudy weather during the daytime, accompanied by the likelihood of light to moderate rain and snow at various locations in J&K during the next 24 hours.

Officials said that there were likely chances of moderate to heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of north, northwest, and south Kashmir areas.

“The weather is expected to be generally cloudy during the daytime from January 31 to February 1, with the possibility of light to moderate rain and snow in many places. This is expected to continue from late afternoon and evening on January 31 until the afternoon of February 1, with chances of heavy snowfall in select higher reaches of the north, northwestern, and south Kashmir,” it said. “The plains are likely to receive moderate rains.”

Officials said that on February 2, the weather is expected to be generally dry with the possibility of very light snow at isolated higher reaches.

However, they said that on February 3 and 4, there is a likelihood of light to moderate rain and snow in many places across J&K.

Subsequently, the weather is expected to remain generally dry from February 5 to 12.

Due to intermittent light to moderate snowfall over the past three days in the higher reaches, significant snow accumulation has been observed in the higher areas of
the north and northwestern parts of the Kashmir division.

This has led to temporary road closures in these higher reaches and important passes.

Travellers have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly, taking into consideration the weather conditions.

Overnight, popular tourist destinations including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam experienced light to moderate snowfall.

Similar snowfall was reported in Kokernag in Anantnag district, Handwara in Kupwara, and Gurez in Bandipora district.

Other areas along the Zojila axis on the Srinagar-Leh highway also witnessed fresh snowfall.

Srinagar also witnessed rainfall in the evening.

The conclusion of the 40-day harsh winter period Chillai Kalan on Tuesday marked an end to a season characterised by below-normal precipitation in Kashmir.

Despite a light to moderate snowfall towards the end of this period, the majority of Chillai Kalan, which typically sees the highest frequency of snowfall, remained
dry.

Kashmir experienced an extended dry spell this winter, with no snowfall in the plains.

During the 40-day harsh winter period, the region faced a cold wave, leading to a considerable drop in temperatures, freezing water bodies, and supply pipes.
Although Chillai Kalan has ended, the cold conditions persist in Kashmir, transitioning into a 20-day Chillai Khurd (small cold) and a 10-day Chillai Bachha (baby cold).

Meanwhile, night temperatures have shown improvement across Kashmir.

Srinagar recorded a low of 2.2 degrees Celsius – a rise from 0.8 degrees Celsius the previous night.

Other minimum temperatures include Pahalgam at 0.1 degrees Celsius, Qazigund at 0.4 degrees Celsius, Kokernag at minus 0.2 degrees Celsius, Kupwara at 1.3 degrees Celsius, and Gulmarg at minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest place in Kashmir, albeit warmer than the previous night's minus 6 degrees Celsius.

AVALANCHE WARNING

The authorities have issued an avalanche warning in the higher reaches of six districts of J&K during the next 24 hours.

Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) Wednesday said, a “low danger” level avalanche is likely to occur at 2800 and 3500 metres above sea level in the higher reaches of Doda district of Chenab Valley and Ganderbal in Kashmir in the next 24 hours.

Avalanche with a “medium danger” level is likely to occur above 2400 metres over Poonch in Pir Panjal region and Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara districts of north Kashmir during the next 24 hours, they said.

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

The upper reaches of these districts received light to moderate snowfall on Wednesday.