Srinagar, May 06: A fresh spell of moderate rain lashed plains and higher reaches experienced fresh snowfall, while the   Meteorological Department has predicted erratic weather to continue in the region till 9^th May.

Director MeT, Sonam told Rising Kashmir that moderate rain occurred accompanied with hailstorm lashed plains, while higher reaches experienced snowfall on Saturday. The prevailing weather conditions will continue till Tuesday evening, he said.

“We are expecting improvement in overall weather conditions from 9^th May onward and thereafter dry and clear weather would continue for several days,” he said.

As per MeT officials, the snowfall was reported in higher reaches including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Gurez, Keran, Sadna Top, Dodpatri and other places experienced light snowfall. The plains including Srinagar received light to moderate spells of rain on Saturday.

Hailstorm along with light rains damaged apple and cherry fruits in several parts of south Kashmir on Saturday. Hailstorms occurred in Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian and Anantnag. 

Apple, Cheery, apricot and other fruits were damaged due to heavy hailstorm in south Kashmir parts of and orchardists demanded compensation from the government. The affected farmers have demanded a relief package for the losses caused due to hailstorms.  

Following the cloudy weather, various parts of Kashmir on Saturday witnessed a significant drop in day temperatures. Srinagar recorded 18.5 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature and 10.4 °C as the minimum temperature.

Pahalgam settled at 17.0°C degrees and 5.4 °C as minimum temperatures. Ski-resort Gulmarg recorded 9.4 °C as the maximum temperature and minus 4.0°C as minimum temperature.

Winter Capital Jammu recorded 32.8 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature and 19.7 °C as the minimum temperature. Batote recorded 20.2 C as the maximum and 11.6 C as the minimum temperature.

Regarding the rainfall, the MeT office said Srinagar received 6.4 mm, Qazigund 1.6 mm of rainfall, Pahalgam 12.4 mm, Kupwara 2.0 mm, Kokernag 5.0 mm and Gulmarg 20.4 mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours.

The MeT had issued an advisory stating that rain may cause temporary disruption of surface transportation on National Highways Jammu-Srinagar, Zojila etc. Check road status before embarking on a journey from traffic police, it said.

The traffic on the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway was suspended on Friday again as heavy rains triggered landslides along various places.

SSP National Highway Mohita Shamra said that a landslide was reported from Chanderkot. Presently the highway is through. She advised commuters to travel cautiously. Heavy rain in district Ramban. Hardly a single carriageway at Dhalwas and traffic movement slow, SSP said.

The traffic police spokesman said the highway remained blocked for more than 06 hours 45 mins. There was also slow movement on NH-44 due to breakdown of 12 HMVs and movement of 14 nomadic flocks between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel, he said.

On Sunday, subject to fair weather and road clearance, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar highway. TCU Jammu/Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic, he said.

On Srinagar-Leh road, only one way traffic from Kargil towards Srinagar shall be allowed. These vehicles shall be allowed from Minamarg, LMVs at 0630 hrs. to 0730 hrs. followed by HMVs upto 0930 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timing, the spokesman said.