Srinagar, Apr 28: Fresh snowfall and heavy rains disrupted life in Kashmir on Friday, as forecasters anticipate intermittent rain and thunderstorms in scattered locations in the region over the next 24 hours.
Director, Meteorological Department Centre, Srinagar Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that plains in Kashmir received rains while upper reaches received moderate snowfall on Friday.
“From April 29- May 2, weather in Kashmir will remain partly cloudy. There is a possibility of intermittent rain, thunderstorm at scattered places towards late evening.
Lotus said from May 3 to 4, there is a possibility of widespread light to moderate rain, thunderstorm. Some places will receive heavy rain during the same period.
As per MeT officials, the snowfall was reported in higher reaches including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Gurez, Keran, Sadna Top, Dodpatri, Yousmarg and other places experienced light snowfall. The plains including Srinagar received light to moderate spells of rain on Friday.
Minamarg and Drass, in the Union territory of Ladakh, also witnessed snowfall since Friday night, officials said.
Following the cloudy weather, various parts of Kashmir on Thursday witnessed a significant drop in day temperatures. Srinagar recorded 11.0 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature and 6.5 °C as the minimum temperature.
Pahalgam settled at 7.6°C degrees and 4.2 °C as minimum temperatures. Ski-resort Gulmarg recorded 3.0 °C as the maximum temperature and minus 1.0°C as minimum temperature.
Winter Capital Jammu recorded 30.6 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature and 19.4 °C as the minimum temperature. Batote recorded 17.7 C as the maximum and 10.4 C as the minimum temperature.
Regarding the rainfall, the MeT office said Srinagar received 18.6 mm, Qazigund 6.8 mm of rainfall, Pahalgam 7.7 mm, Kupwara 15.3 mm, Kokernag 5.0 mm and Gulmarg 26.4 mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours.
While rain lashed plains in Valley, as per MeT department data, summer capital Srinagar recorded 24.4 mm of rainfall from Friday evening till 5:30 pm on Saturday, Gulmarg 29 mm, Qazigund 125.2 mm, Kupwara 10.4 mm, and Pahalgam 121.2mm.
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 massive landslide at Shalgari, Banihal blocked the traffic on the highway.
The traffic police spokesman said from April 27, 2023, 1700 hrs to April 28, 1700 hrs Jammu Srinagar NHW remained blocked for two hours due to landslide at Shabanbass.
“C-N Tunnel closed for 03 hour 05 movement on NH44 due to breakdown of 06 HMVS and movement of 10 nomadic flocks between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel,” he said.
The traffic said HMVs with only 06 and 10 tyres shall be allowed to ply through Dhar road.
On Saturday, Subject to fair weather and road clearance, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa.
“TCU Jammu, Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic,” the spokesman said.
He said HMVs shall be allowed from NAVYUG Tunnel (Qazigund side) towards Jammu after assessing the road and traffic situation on NH44.TCU Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the HMVs,’ the spokesman said.
On Sonmarg-Leh road, vehicles shall be allowed from Minamarg at 0700 hrs upto 0930 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. No vehicle shall be allowed without an anti- skid chain,” the spokesman said.
J&K Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Friday issued a fresh avalanche warning in the low and higher reaches of Baramulla, Ganderbal and Kupwara districts.
A spokesman said an avalanche with low danger level is likely to occur above 2800 to 3000 metres above sea level over Baramulla, Ganderbal & Kupwara districts in next 24 hours.
“People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche-prone areas till further orders”, he said.
