Srinagar, Nov 1: The Meteorological Department (MeT) Tuesday forecast cloudy weather for next 2 days in Kashmir and another light to moderate spell of snow and rains from November 5 onwards in the region.
Director Indian Meteorological Centre Kashmir, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that light snowfall was recorded in higher reaches and rain occurred in plains in Kashmir during the past 24 hours which resulted in gradual decrease in day temperatures.
“From November 2-4, weather will remain generally cloudy. Light rain, snowfall may occur in isolated places, although the chances are less. From November 5-8, we are expecting scattered light to moderate rain, snow in higher reaches,” he said.
Lotus said precipitation from November 5-8 may lead to temporary disruption of surface transportation over Zojila, Sinthantop, and Mugal road etc.
“As per present conditions, there is a 70 percent chance of snowfall in higher reaches and rain in plains, during the same period,” he said.
Meanwhile, minimum temperatures dropped further due to the cold breeze lashing into the plains from snow-clad mountains.
The light rainfall and snow prompted the closure of the Srinagar-Leh highway. Officials said in view of the snowfall at Zojila pass, the Srinagar-Leh highway was closed for traffic.
On Tuesday, Srinagar recorded 17.6 degree Celsius as the maximum and 7.6 degrees as minimum temperature. Ski-resort Gulmarg recorded 6.8 degrees as maximum temperature and0.0 degrees as minimum temperature and was the coldest place in Kashmir.
Health resort Pahalgam recorded 13.4 degrees and a minimum of minus 6.0 degrees . Gateway town of Kashmir- Qazigund recorded a maximum of 18.0 degrees respectively and 8.0 degrees as minimum temperature.
Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded maximum temperatures of 19.6 degrees , while minimum temperatures settled at 6.4 degrees.
Horticulture deptt issues advisory for orchardists
In view of the snow forecast by the Indian Meteorological Department for the first week of November; the Horticulture Department Kashmir Tuesday issued an advisory for the orchardists in order to prevent any damage to the fruit trees.
“In case of any such precipitation, Unharvested fruit should be immediately harvested and stored properly for packaging and subsequent sale as has already been published in the previous advisory dated October 16,” it said.
“Start and expedite the pruning of fruit trees in order to lower the load of fruit trees and reduce the size of out-spreading branches which are more prone to snow damage.
“Shake trees to remove snow immediately from the branches after snowfall to prevent their bending and subsequent damage.”
The advisory said if the fruit trees are tilted “reduce the canopy load by pruning, and provide proper support.”
If the trees get partially uprooted, slowly pull back the trees to the original position after support/staking to the main trunk to prevent further fall/ movement, it added.
“If the top portion of the tree breaks, give the damaged branches an oblique cut 2-3 inches below the broken point and apply Bordeaux mixture/Chaubatia paste on the cut surface,”it said, adding that the procedure needs to be adopted if the main trunk splits into two or three parts.
Further, the advisory mentions if any scaffold branch breaks and bark is still intact, after heavy pruning, “bring the branch to the original position by tying with a rope and/or bolting or using nails. Ensure that the union remains tight and apply Bordeaux/Chaubatia paste on the cut surface.”
“If roots get exposed, cover the roots back with soil to avoid desiccation and damage,” the advisory said.
