Srinagar, May 31: Heavy rains drenched the Kashmir plains while fresh snowfall blanketed the higher reaches on Saturday, disrupting normal life and causing a significant drop in temperatures across Kashmir. However, the Meteorological Department has forecast improvement in weather conditions from Sunday afternoon.
Director of the Meteorological Department, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, told Rising Kashmir that as predicted, moderate to heavy rainfall occurred across the plains, while several high-altitude areas received snowfall.
“Light to moderate rain and snowfall may continue in higher areas for the next 12 hours, but weather will gradually improve from Sunday afternoon,” Dr. Ahmad said. He added that some areas in the Union Territory could witness heavy rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds, and intense showers on Saturday night.
Over the last 24 hours, Poonch received 39 mm of rain, Baramulla 22 mm, and strong winds were reported in districts like Samba, Jammu, and Kathua districts.
Several areas including the popular ski resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla district, Sonamarg in Ganderbal, Gurez in Bandipora, Machil in Kupwara, Tangdar, along with Peer Ki Gali, Sinthon Top, Sukhnai village of Warwan Valley and Lolab valley, received light snowfall.
Residents in higher areas, especially those in snow-affected villages and hills, expressed concern over the unseasonal snowfall. Many noted that snowfall during this time of year is not typical and could impact crops and daily routines.
Meanwhile the weather department has also warned of possible landslides, mudslides, and flash floods in vulnerable areas due to heavy rain. People are advised to stay away from electric poles, loose structures, and old trees.
Temperatures dropped far below normal across the region, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 14.5°C, which is over 12 degrees below the average. The minimum temperature was 11.8°C.
Qazigund, in south Kashmir, recorded a maximum temperature of 13.0°C and a minimum of 10.8°C. Pahalgam was even colder, with the maximum temperature at just 8.2°C nearly 15 degrees below normal.
In north Kashmir, Kupwara recorded a maximum of 12.8°C and a minimum of 10.1°C. Kokernag recorded maximum of 12.0°C and a minimum of 10.4°C. Tourist spot Gulmarg recorded maximum of just 6.8°C and a minimum of 4.0°C.
Jammu city recorded a maximum of 32.9°C, six degrees below normal, and a minimum of 19.3°C. Banihal was much colder with a high of 14.6°C and low of 11.8°C.
Other areas like Batote, Katra, and Bhaderwah also recorded below-normal temperatures. Bhaderwah had a maximum of 18.4°C.
Meanwhile Anantnag Police successfully rescued a stranded passenger vehicle at Sinthan Top today.
A police spokesman said that A Xylo vehicle bearing registration number JK17-7352, carrying 08 passengers and a driver, became stranded at Sinthan Top due to fresh snowfall.
“A distress call made by one of the passengers was immediately acted upon by Police Station Larnoo. SHO Larnoo along with police team swiftly reached the location and successfully evacuated all passengers and the driver to safety, despite challenging weather and terrain conditions,” he said.
The spokesman said that this timely and coordinated effort ensured that no harm came to the stranded persons.
“Police urges all commuters to exercise caution and stay updated with weather advisories before venturing into high-altitude, snow-prone areas,” he said.
Over the past two days, continuous rainfall across Kashmir led to a temporary rise in water levels in several streams and tributaries. However, officials from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department confirmed that the situation has significantly improved with a gradual decrease in rainfall.
The Irrigation and Flood Control Department said that water levels had increased in some nallahs and river tributaries, but there is no cause for alarm. “The alert level at Sangam and Ram Munshi Bagh remains well below the danger mark. There is no flood-like situation, and people need not panic,” he said.
While tributaries in south Kashmir are flowing high due to rainfall, there is no immediate flood threat. Water levels in several key water bodies, including the Vishow Nallah at Khudwani, Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi, Doodhganga Nallah at Barzulla, and Sindh Nallah at Doderhama, have started to recede.
In Jammu region, the Chenab river at Akhnoor also witnessed a rise in water level due to persistent rains. Authorities have issued a precautionary alert for areas located near the riverbanks.
Following fresh snowfall on Saturday, the Mughal Road has been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure.
Station Officer Traffic Mughal Road, Mahroof Ahmad, said that the vital road link connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with the Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu division has been closed due to snowfall in the higher reaches.
“Traffic movement has been suspended on the Mughal Road due to fresh snowfall. This is a precautionary step to ensure the safety of commuters,” he said.
A traffic police spokesman said subject to fair weather and good road condition on Sunday, 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 managed in regulated manner after assessing the road condition.
