Srinagar, Jan 12: The Meteorological Department (MeT) Thursday predicted mainly dry and clear weather till January 18 in Kashmir. Earlier on Thursday light snow was recorded at ski resort Gulmarg and Pahalgam for the second consecutive day, officials said.
Director MeT, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that light rain in plains, light to moderate-heavy snowfall was recorded over Sonamarg and higher reaches of Kupwara and Bandipora districts.
“Currently weather is cloudy over most places in Kashmir and we expect widespread light rain in plains of Kashmir and Jammu divisions. Light snow over higher reaches of Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, and Baramula towards late Thursday evening,” he said.
Lotus said from 13 of January onward, there will be mainly dry weather and we expect further fall in minimum temperatures from Jan 14. There will be warmer days and colder nights and dense fog in the plains of Jammu, he said.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of a 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started on December 21. It is followed by a 20-day-long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha.
Gulmarg received 19cms of snowfall in the 24 hours till Thursday morning and Pahalgam 1 cm. Srinagar received 2.8mm, Qazigund 9.8mm, Kupwara 11.3mm, Kokernag 7mm, Jammu 1.8mm, Banihal 24.5mm, Katra 1.8mm and Bhaderwah 15.2mm.
Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Department of Jammu and Kashmir has issued Low to Medium level avalanche warnings in Bandipore, Baramula, Doda, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Ramban districts
“Avalanche with low danger level is likely to occur above 2500 meters over these areas in the next 24 hours. People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in avalanche-prone areas, he said
