Srinagar, Feb 25: Kashmir experienced a mix of weather conditions on Tues-day, with fresh snowfall blanketing the higher reaches and light to moderate rains lashed the plains. The Meteorological Department (MeT) has forecast that this weather pattern will persist until March 2nd.
Several areas in north Kashmir, including the popular ski resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla district, Gurez in Bandipora, Machil in Kupwara, Tangdar, and So-namarg in Ganderbal, along with Peer Ki Gali, Sinthon Top, and the Lolab val-ley, received light snowfall. Majority of areas in north, central Kashmir valley witnessed light to moderate rainfall till late evening.
Director Meteorological Centre Kashmir, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that the higher reaches of Kupwara, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Shopian, and other locations witnessed fresh light snowfall, while the plains experienced light to moderate rain.
“We expect generally cloudy conditions with light rain in some areas of the plains and hilly regions of the Jammu division, and light rain and snowfall (in the higher reaches) in parts of the Kashmir division until March 2nd,” he stat-ed.
Dr. Mukhtar further said from February 25th to 28th, generally cloudy weather is expected with light to moderate rain, snow in most places, intensifying to-wards the 25th February evening until 28th February.
“Isolated heavy rain, snow is also possible in both the Kashmir and Jammu di-visions during this period. From March 1st to 2nd, the weather is predicted to remain generally cloudy with light rain and snow in scattered to fairly wide-spread areas,” he said.
Meanwhile MeT has issued an advisory regarding potential disruptions to sur-face transportation, particularly over Sadhna Pass, Razdhan Pass, the So-namarg-Zojila-Gumri axis, Mughal Road, Sinthan Pass, and other major roads in hilly districts.
Farmers have been advised to suspend irrigation and other agricultural activi-ties. A significant drop in day temperatures is also expected during this period.
MeT advisory also urged tourists, travelers, and transporters to plan their jour-neys accordingly and stay updated on advisories from the administration and traffic department.
Meanwhile, the traffic along 270 kilometres Srinagar-Jammu highway remained normal during the past 24 hours and no disruptions were reported along the vital road.
timing. Motorists are advised to carry anti-skid chain to gain more grip on the slippery road,” he said.
While Mughal Road and Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road and Bhaderwah-Chamba have been closed for vehicular movement in view of snow accumula-tion along the roads.
Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority issued a medium-danger level avalanche warning for four districts of Kashmir division.
A JKDMA Spokesperson said an avalanche with Medium Danger Level is like-ly to occur above 2200 metres above sea level over Ganderbal, Kupwara, Baramulla, and Kupwara districts in next 24 hours.”
“People living in these (specified) areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas till further orders,” he said.
