Higher reaches in Kashmir experience snowfall, rain drenches plains

Srinagar, Feb 18: Following dip in temperatures, the higher reaches in Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall, and rain drenched plains on Sunday. The meteorological department has issued a yellow alert and forecasted heavy snowfall during the next 24 hours in the region.
This is the second widespread wet spell in Kashmir valley following the 2 month long dry spell. Prevailing weather conditions will continue to prevail till 22nd February in Jammu and Kashmir.
Director MeT Srinagar, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that under the influence of fresh Western disturbance, fresh snow spell occurred over higher reaches of Kashmir and rain lashed plains.
The upper reaches, including Gulmarg, Doodhpathri, Sonamarg, Keran, Machil, Gurez, Drass, Zojila, Matayan, Gumri, Sinton Top, Gurez, Pahalgam, Zozila, Pir Ki Gali, etc experienced fresh snowfall, leading to a considerable drop in temperature.
Dr Mukhtar said from 19-20th February, there is possibility of light to moderate rain, snow at most places (plains and lower reaches) with possibility of heavy to very heavy snowfall over middle and higher reaches of Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Badgam and in South Kashmir districts.
In Jammu division, he said there is forecast of intermittent light to moderate rain with lightning in plains. There will be moderate snowfall over higher reaches of Ramban, Poonch, Doda and Kishtwar, he said.
Following the cloudy weather, various parts of Kashmir witnessed a significant drop in day temperatures. Srinagar recorded 15.2 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature and 5.4 °C as the minimum temperature.
Pahalgam settled at 13.2 °C degrees and 2.5 °C as minimum temperatures. Ski-resort Gulmarg recorded 7.9 °C as the maximum temperature and minus 1.5°C as minimum temperature.
Regarding the rainfall, the MeT office said Srinagar received 12.3 mm, Qazigund 8.9 mm of rainfall, Pahalgam 6 mm, Kupwara 15.4 mm, Kokernag 8.0 mm and Gulmarg 14.6 mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours.
Jammu and Kashmir State Disaster Management Authority (JK DMA) issued a low-danger level avalanche warning for Anantnag and Kulgam districts for the next 24 hours.
The warning said that the avalanche is likely above 2500 metres over the Anantnag and Kulgam districts.
JKDMA has issued a warning of an avalanche with a medium danger level over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara and Ganderbal districts in the next 24 hours.
The JKDMA Spokesman said an avalanche with Low Danger Level is likely to occur above 2500 metres over Anantnag & Kulgam districts in the next 24 hours. Avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 2200 metres over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara & Ganderbal districts in next 24 hours,” he said.
The spokesman said people living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing into the avalanche-prone areas.
Meanwhile authorities have closed the Srinagar-Leh Highway for vehicular movement due to snow accumulation at Baltal in Ganderbal district and LMVs were not allowed towards Sonamarg without skid chains. Gurez-Bandipora road was also closed for traffic movement due to heavy snowfall in the region.
The Traffic Police Department Kashmir has issued an advisory regarding safety measures for vehicular movement along hilly roads in the region.
Sr. Superintendent of Police Traffic Rural Kashmir, Ravinder Pal Singh, told Rising Kashmir that traffic cautions are important due to weather forecasts including rain and snowfall, as indicated by the Meteorological Department.
The advisory reads that only (4X4) vehicles and those equipped with anti-skid chains, with a seating capacity not exceeding 10 seats, will be allowed on slippery hilly roads during snowfall.
Meanwhile, vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was normal. However, the traffic department advised commuters to follow lane discipline and drive cautiously.
Meanwhile, a traffic department official said the strategic 434-km Srinagar-Leh National Highway and the Mughal Road connecting the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region with south Kashmir’s Shopian district have been closed due to heavy snowfall.
“Jammu Srinagar highway is through for vehicular movement. Commuters are advised to follow lane discipline, drive cautiously. However, Mughal road and SSG road are still blocked,” he said.
Director Srinagar International Airport, Javed Anjum said that the airport experienced delays in evening flights due to prevailing weather conditions. However, later flights operated normally in the day, he said.
Similarly, Chief Area Manager (CAM) Kashmir, Saqib Yousuf Yatoo (IRTS), said that there were some delays in the morning attributable to prevailing weather. However all services between Baramulla and Banihal operated seamlessly without any deviations