Week-long wet weather spell expected in J&K from today: MeT

Srinagar, Mar 09: The Meteorological Department on Sunday forecasted a week-long spell of wet weather starting Monday, which is expected to affect both the Jammu and Kashmir regions, officials said.
Director of MeT, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, told Rising Kashmir that light to moderate rain and snow are predicted over higher reaches at multiple locations on March 10 and 11.
“Additionally, an intermittent spell of light to moderate rain and snow is expected across many parts of the region from March 12 to 14. Another round of intermittent light rain and snow is forecasted for March 15 and 16,” he added.
In light of the forecast, the MeT office has issued an advisory for travelers, tourists, and transporters, urging them to follow local traffic advisories before planning their trips during this period.
Farmers have been advised to suspend farm operations from March 10 to March 18. People residing in higher reaches have also been urged to avoid areas prone to avalanches and landslides during this time.
Night temperatures across Kashmir have remained 1 to 2°C below average over the past 24 hours, while daytime temperatures on Saturday were 4.5°C above normal. Srinagar recorded the highest daytime temperature at 19.0°C on Saturday.
On the night of Saturday and Sunday, Srinagar recorded a low of 2.2°C, which is 1.1°C below the season’s average.
The tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded the lowest temperature at -2.7°C, followed by the ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir at -2.4°C, and Kupwara at -0.4°C, according to the MeT office.
Meanwhile, subject to fair weather and improved road conditions, light motor vehicles (LMVs) and private cars will be allowed to travel from both directions on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), including from Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa.
A spokesman also mentioned that heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) will be permitted from Jakheni (Udhampur) towards Srinagar after an assessment of the road conditions. The Traffic Control Units (TCUs) of Jammu and Srinagar will coordinate with the TCU in Ramban for updates on the road situation.
However, both the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road and the Mughal Road remain closed due to snow accumulation along the routes.