Winter knocks early
Srinagar, Oct 6: Fresh snowfall in the higher reaches and rainfall in the plains of Kashmir on Monday led to a sharp drop in day temperatures across the Valley.
Snowfall was reported from Sinthan Top and Margan Top in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Affarwat in Gulmarg, Zojila Pass on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, Bangus Valley in Kupwara, Razdan Pass in Gurez Valley, and several other high-altitude areas.
Light to moderate rainfall was recorded in the plains, including Srinagar city.
The day temperature in the Valley dipped by nearly 10 degrees Celsius, with Srinagar recording a maximum of around 11 degrees Celsius on Monday, down from 22.6 degrees Celsius a day earlier.
The Meteorological Department (MET) has forecast continued wet weather for the next 24 hours.
This is the second spell of snowfall in the higher reaches this season – the first was reported on Friday last week amid light rains in the plains.
Amid the latest round of snow and rain, the weatherman on Monday issued an orange alert for Jammu and Kashmir, predicting intermittent spells of light to moderate rain and snow across the region.
The department said generally cloudy weather is expected, with intermittent rain, thunder, and gusty winds at most places in J&K, along with light to moderate snow over higher reaches.
It said that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in the Jammu division and moderate to heavy rain at some locations in the Kashmir division.
Irfan Raina reports from Ganderbal
Zojila Pass on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway received light snowfall on Monday.
This was the season’s first snowfall in the region.
A layer of fresh snow had accumulated around Zojila, the 11,575-foot-high pass.
However, the flow of vehicular traffic was normal.
The upper reaches of the Sonamarg health resort in Ganderbal district also received a light snowfall, bringing a dip in temperature.
Meanwhile, the tourists were seen enjoying the snowfall at the zero point Zojila on Monday.
“We are happy that it is snowing here at this time of year, and it made our visit to Kashmir more pleasant,” a group of tourists said.
Drass and Minamarg areas of the Ladakh region also witnessed light snowfall on Monday.
Amid the forecast of heavy rains and snowfall, the Ganderbal district administration issued an advisory asking people to avoid going to higher reaches and slide-prone areas.
Altaf Baba reports from Baramulla
Widespread rains lashed most parts of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday.
The rains started early in the morning and continued uninterrupted till evening.
Due to the persistent rainfall, several parts of Baramulla town witnessed waterlogging, causing immense inconvenience to commuters.
At Tehsil Road near the Women’s College Baramulla, the inundated stretch created major problems for the people.
The road remained completely waterlogged throughout the day, making it difficult for people to pass.
Similarly, waterlogging was reported from the Post Office Baramulla area up to Kanispora.
Locals said that frequent waterlogging along Tehsil Road occurs due to the absence of a proper drainage system.
Mushtaq Ahmad, a local, said that though a drain had been constructed along the road, it remains completely covered, preventing rainwater from flowing into it.
He said that drains at Kanispora, Khawaja Bagh, and Kant Bagh are choked with weeds and debris.
“Further, the drain has been constructed above the road surface, which defeats the very purpose of having a drainage system,” he said.
“Covered drains and those built above the road level serve no purpose. The district administration needs to address these issues to ensure proper drainage,” Ahmad said.
Tarique Raheem reports from Kupwara
As predicted by weathermen, Kupwara plains witnessed incessant rains on Monday, while the upper reaches received the season’s first snowfall.
The rains poured throughout the day in the plains, resulting in severe hardships to people in walking.
Due to incessant rains, roads and markets across the district witnessed a thin presence of people.
Meanwhile, the higher reaches, including Z-Gali Machil, Ferkhian Top Keran, Sadhna Top, Budnamal, Kumkadi, and Jumgund, witnessed 1 to 2 inch snowfall, causing slippery conditionsas a result of which vehicles plying on these roads faced hardships.
However, traffic was plying on these roads when the last reports came in.
The picturesque Bangus Valley also witnessed almost 5 inches of snowfall.
Due to incessant rains throughout the day, there was a significant drop in temperature across the district, forcing people to wear warm clothes, especially traditional garments like the pheran and jackets.
Due to the intense cold and incessant rains, the usual hustle and bustle in the major markets of the district remained affected.
In view of the inclement weather conditions, the district administration issued an advisory for the people, urging caution and preparedness.
Helpline numbers have also been issued to deal with any emergency situation.
The administration appealed to the people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay updated with the latest weather information.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Shrikant Balasaheb, said that the district administration had already issued an advisory in view of inclement weather.
“Since the Meteorological Department had forecast heavy rains and snowfall in the upper reaches, we had set up all necessary arrangements. The departments, including Border Roads Organisation’s Project Beacon, Roads and Buildings, and PMGSY, which are involved in road clearance, had already been directed to keep men and machinery ready in case of closure of roads,” he said.
The DC said that though snowfall was recorded at Z-Gali, Machil, Ferkhian Top, Keran, and Sadhna Top, Karnah, traffic to these areas was not halted.
He said that residents, especially those in vulnerable and hilly areas like Keran, Karnah, Machil, and other locations near rivers, streams, and landslide-prone zones, had been advised to avoid avalanche-prone and slippery areas and refrain from unnecessary travel until weather conditions improve.
The DC assured that sufficient food and essential commodities were stocked throughout the district, including remote and snowbound areas, and urged people not to panic.
M M Parvaiz reports from Ramban
Parts of Doda and Kishtwar districts in Chenab Valley witnessed the season’s first snowfall on Monday, bringing the much-awaited winter chill to the higher reaches and causing a sharp dip in temperatures across the region.
Officials said that the Guldanda area of Doda, along with Sinthan Top and the peaks near Machail Mata temple in Paddar, received fresh snowfall in the morning.
The picturesque tourist destinations of Chattergala and Guldanda in Bhaderwah also recorded light to moderate snowfall, marking the onset of the cold season.
The Mangit and Mahu areas of Ramban district also received light snowfall.
The snowfall in the upper reaches was accompanied by light rainfall in the plains of Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts, resulting in a noticeable drop in the day temperature.
According to officials, the maximum temperature in Ramban was recorded at around 16 degrees Celsius.
Due to the accumulation of snow, the Kishtwar-Anantnag National Highway (NH-244) was closed for traffic at Sinthan Top.
An official from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) said that snow clearance operations were initiated in the afternoon to restore vehicular movement.
Locals and tourists in the region welcomed the first snowfall of the season, describing it as a refreshing change after weeks of dry weather.
However, authorities advised travellers and residents to exercise caution in the higher reaches due to slippery road conditions.
Meanwhile, in view of inclement weather issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), on the directions of authorities, schools across Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi, and Udhampur districts remained closed.
Sumit Bhargav reports from Rajouri
Fresh snowfall was recorded in the upper reaches of Rajouri and Poonch districts since Sunday evening, bringing winter like conditions to the twin border districts of Pir Panjal.
Almost all higher reaches of the Pir Panjal region received fresh snowfall.
The Pir Ki Gali mountainous pass along the Mughal Road witnessed nearly 2 inches of snow, leading to slippery conditions on the stretch.
Despite this, vehicular movement continued normally on the Mughal Road, though authorities advised the drivers to remain cautious.
Low-lying areas of the twin districts have experienced heavy rainfall since morning, severely disrupting normal life. The continuous downpour affected routine activities and caused waterlogging in several localities.
With the drop in temperature, residents started putting on warm clothes as cold-like conditions prevailed across the region.
The sudden change in weather has marked an early onset of chill in the Pir Panjal region, with farmers are also worried regarding the damage of their crops like maize and paddy, which was being harvested.
