Snowfall, rain continue for 3rd day in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 20: For the third consecutive day on Tuesday Kashmir received snowfall and rains leading to the closure of key highways even as Meteorological department has predicted more precipitation during next 24 hours and thereafter improvement in weather.

The continuous precipitation in Kashmir seems to be a drastic shift in its weather for the last three days. Records indicate that this winter’s heaviest snowfall happened Monday, causing disruption at tourist destinations like Sonmarg and skier’s paradise Gulmarg.

In Sonmarg alone, snow accumulation has reached beyond four feet. Gulmarg followed with a measure of two feet. Consequently, the severe cold wave persists in the Valley.

“There is possibility of light to moderate rain, snow at most places (plains and lower reaches) with possibility of heavy to very heavy snowfall over middle and higher reaches of Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Badgam and districts of south Kashmir,” the MeT officials said.

On February 21, they said, there is possibility of intermittent light to moderate snow at many places till afternoon or late afternoon and gradual improvement thereafter. “No significant weather activity is expected till February 27,” they added.

Both the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and the Srinagar-Leh road were shut for traffic due to the snow and rain. Traffic officials said that mudslides, landslides, and stone-throwing incidents along the entire stretch of the Jammu-Srinagar highway were reasons for the closure.

“NH-44 is impassable due to adverse weather conditions. We advise travelers to avoid this route until further notice,” a traffic police spokesperson said.

Roads linking Keran and Machil in Kupwara district, Anantnag Simthan, and Mughal roads were also closed due to heavy snowfall.

In the last 48 hours, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Sadhna Top, Razdan Top, and Tulail Gurez have recorded significant snowfall, with Gulmarg receiving 2.5 feet, Sonamarg 4 feet, Sadhna Top 5 feet, Razdan Top 5 feet, and Tulail Gurez 4 feet of snow.

Srinagar and surrounding areas have been experiencing snowfall since Tuesday morning, leading to waterlogging in low-lying areas and a notable drop in daytime temperatures.

MeT officials said, Srinagar, Srinagar recorded 29.0mm of rainfall, Qazigund 76.8mm, Pahalgam 40.1mm, Kupwara 41.9mm, Kokernag 26.0mm, and Gulmarg 59.2mm of rainfall, along with 50.0cm of snowfall in the past 24 hours.

Srinagar’s minimum temperature was -0.7°C, below the normal of 0.9°C, with a daytime high of -0.9°C, below the normal of 9.9°C. Qazigund, Kokernag, Pahalgam, Kupwara, and Gulmarg also recorded below-normal temperatures on Tuesday.

Jammu, they said, received 5.8mm of rain and recorded a minimum of 13.4°C and it was above normal by 2.8°C for the winter capital of J&K.

Banihal received 83.6mm of rain in 24 hours and recorded a low of 2.0°C, Batote received 49.6mm and had a low of 3.44°C while Bhaderwah received 58.8mm of rain and recorded a minimum of 1.6°C, they added.