Srinagar, March 21: Higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall, while light rains lashed plains on Thursday. The MeT department has forecasted prevailing weather conditions to continue till Friday afternoon.
Srinagar along with other plains of Kashmir valley received light rains resulting in a drop in the day temperature. Higher reaches in north Kashmir’s Kupwara recorded light snowfall till Thursday evening.
Director MeT Kashmir, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that as forecasted plains in Kashmir witnessed light to moderate rains while upper reaches received snowsfall till Friday forenoon.
He said light to moderate rain or snow will occur at many places with thunder, lightning, and gusty winds over the plains of Kashmir and Jammu divisions till Friday afternoon.
“From 23rd-26th March there will be generally dry weather with brief cloudiness. In J&K and on 27th March, partly to generally cloudy with Light Rain/Snow at few places. From 28-31st March there will be partly to generally cloudy with intermittent Light Rain/Snow at many places”, he said.
Director MeT said that travellers are advised to Plan accordingly.
As per MeT data, Srinagar recorded a low of 9.9°C and maximum temperatures 16.2°C. Qazigund recorded a minimum of 6.0°C and 18.7°C as maximum temperatures. Pahalgam recorded a low of 3.0°C and 16.4°C as maximum temperature.
Kokernag recorded a minimum of 8.2°C and 17.5°C as maximum temperatures, Gulmarg, the official said, recorded a low of minus 3.2°C and 10.0 as maximum temperatures.
Meanwhile Traffic was plying from both sides on Jammu Srinagar National Highway on Thursday.
A traffic police spokesman said during the past 24 hours, Jammu-Srinagar NHW remained blocked for 54 minutes due to repair work at Mehad. Slow movement was observed on NH-44 due to breakdown of 02 HMVs and single lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad, Panthyal, Nachlana, Shalgarhi etc. and poor surface condition of road at many places between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel.
“Passengers/LMVs operators are advised to prefer journeys on Jammu-Srinagar NHW during day time. Please avoid journey during night hours as apprehension of shooting stones between Ramban and Banihal”, he said.
Adding , “HMVs Operators/Owners are requested to desist from overloading and carry sufficient fuel during journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW. It is further requested that vehicle owners must double check the fitness of their vehicles and carry sufficient fuel before undertaking journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW.HMVs with only 06 and 10 tyres shall be allowed to ply through Dhar road.”
“Subject to fair weather and good road condition, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice- versa. However, HMVs shall be allowed from Jakheni (Udhampur) towards Srinagar after assessing the road condition.”, he said.
The spokesman said people are requested to be alert while traveling and be cautious of shooting stones and landslides and avoid travel if not necessary. No Vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timing, he said.
The 270-kilometre-long highway is the lifeline of supplies for the landlocked Valley as all essential commodities are brought in through this highway.
Meanwhile after a temporary closure spanning 30 days, the vital 434-kilometer Srinagar-Ladakh highway was restored for one-way traffic from Minamarg side on TrailBais on Wednesday.
