Srinagar, plains experience season’s first snowfall

Srinagar, Feb 1: Srinagar and other plain areas of Kashmir experienced the first snowfall of the season on Thursday, bringing joy to the residents.

The snowfall started late Wednesday night and continued till the morning in most places, covering the Valley in a blanket of snow.

Srinagar received approximately 2 inches of snowfall, with other areas reporting varying amounts, including Anantnag (4 inches), Qazigund (9 inches), Pahalgam (10 inches), Pulwama (two inches), Kulgam (3 inches), Shopian (5 inches), Ganderbal (2 inches), Baramulla (3 inches), Kupwara (4 inches), and Gulmarg (14 inches) in the higher reaches.

While the higher reaches experienced moderate to heavy snowfall, the plains, including Srinagar, had seen little precipitation earlier in the winter.
The alternate Mughal Road and the Srinagar-Leh highway were closed for the movement of traffic due to snow accumulation.

Regarding the forecast, the Meteorological Department said generally cloudy weather was expected with light snow at a few places till Thursday afternoon and gradual improvement thereafter.

The MeT officials said that on February 2 the weather was expected to be generally dry with the possibility of very light snow at isolated higher reaches.
They said that from February 3 to 4, there was a possibility of light to moderate snow and rain in Jammu and at many places in J&K.

The MeT officials said that from February 5 to 12, generally dry weather was expected.

The MeT has forecast cloudy weather with light snow at some places until the afternoon, with a gradual improvement thereafter.

The following day is expected to be dry, with a possibility of very light snow at isolated higher reaches. From February 3 to 4, there is a chance of light to moderate snow and rain in many places in Jammu and Kashmir, with dry weather likely to prevail until February 12.

The temperature readings recorded a minimum of 0.2 degrees Celsius in Srinagar, minus 4.1 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam, minus 0.4 degrees Celsius in Qazigund, minus 1.4 degrees Celsius in Kokernag, and minus 0.7 degrees Celsius in Kupwara.

Gulmarg registered the lowest temperature at minus 7.6 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest place in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, the high-altitude areas of Jammu province, including the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hills in Reasi district, witnessed a fresh spell of
snowfall on Thursday morning.

AVALANCHE WARNING ISSUED

The J&K Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) Thursday issued a medium danger level avalanche warning in eight districts of J&K.
“Avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 2400 metres over Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, and Ramban districts in the next 24 hours,” the JKDMA said. “People living in these areas have been advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche-prone areas till further
orders.”