Srinagar, Feb 24: Kashmir is bracing for a fresh spell of snowfall from February 25 evening and will continue until March 2nd. The Metrolog-ical (MeT) department Srinagar has issued an advisory, warning of light to moderate rain and snow across the region.
Director MeT, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that a fresh western disturbance is expected to impact the region from February 25 evening, bringing with it the anticipated snowfall.
“From February 25-28, weather will remain generally cloudy with pos-sibility of light to moderate rain and snow at most of the places. It will also impact both Kashmir and Jammu divisions,” he said, adding that this spell will break the prolonged dry spell in the region.
Dr Mukhtar said that from March 1 to 2, weather will remain generally cloudy with light rain, snow scattered to fairly widespread places.
The MeT has issued also an advisory of possible disruption of surface transportation mainly over Sadhna pass, Razdhan Pass, Sonamarg-Zojila-Gumri axis, Mughal Road, Sinthan pass and other major roads of hilly districts.
Meanwhile, farmers are advised to suspend irrigation and other farm operations. There will be a significant fall in day temperature during the same period. This winter, Kashmir has experienced a significant lack of precipitation, with levels 80 per cent lower than the usual av-erage. However, recent snowfall and upcoming forecast of more snow have brought renewed hope that the precipitation deficit may be re-duced in the coming weeks. Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a notable increase in day temperatures over the last 24 hours, while night tem-peratures fluctuated across the region.
In the Jammu division, day temperatures climbed by 2-4°C in numer-ous areas. Kathua recorded the highest temperature at 24.6°C, fol-lowed by Mirpur at 27.5°C and Jammu city at 24.2°C.
The Kashmir division also experienced a significant rise in day tem-peratures, with increases ranging from 4-6°C. Srinagar and Kupwara both reached 16.6°C. Jammu division, minimum temperatures rose by 0-2°C in scattered locations. Bhaderwah and Banihal both recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 1.7°C.
Conversely, night temperatures in the Kashmir division decreased by 0-1°C in scattered areas. Gulmarg was the coldest, registering a mini-mum temperature of -4.0°C, followed by Pahalgam at -3.2°C and Qazigund at -1.0°C. The traffic along 270 kilometres Srinagar-Jammu highway remained normal during the past 24 hours and no disruptions were reported along the vital road.
On Tuesday, subject to fair weather and better road conditions LMVs Passenger/Private Cars/HMVs shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44). TCU Jammu/Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban for road condition. On Srinagar-Leh highway, only one way traffic for LMVs followed by HMVs (upto 06 tyres) with Anti-skid chains from Srinagar towards Kargil shall be allowed on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road. “These vehicles shall be allowed from So-namarg towards Kargil between 1000 hrs to 1500 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timing. Motorists are advised to carry anti-skid chains to gain more grip on the slippery road.” While Mughal Road and Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road and Bhaderwah-Chamba have been closed for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation along the roads.
