Srinagar, Feb 16: In view of heavy snowfall forecast, the Meteorological Department (MeT) Friday issued a Yellow Alert advisory between February 17 to 21 in the Himalayan region.
The Divisional administration has directed all the departments to keep men, and machinary ready to tackle any emergency in view of snowfall forecast.
As per MeT officials, Yellow alert indicates severely bad weather spanning across several days. It also suggests that the weather could change for the worse, causing disruption in day-to-day activities.
Director MeT, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that they were expecting widespread snowfall in higher reaches and rain in plains from Saturday evening in Kashmir. He said moderate to intense Western Disturbance most likely to affect J&K and adjoining areas during February 17 (night) -21st (forenoon), 2024.
“Under the influence of this system, widespread light to moderate rain and snow is expected in Jammu and Kashmir with heavy snowfall over a few higher reaches with main activity during February 18 to 20,” the MeT Director said.
Dr. Mukhtar said that this system will likely to cause heavy rain, snow over Pirpanjal Range of Jammu Division and higher reaches of Kashmir division including Anantnag, Pahalgam, Kulgam, Shopian, Pir Ki Gali, Gulmarg, Sonamarg- Zojila axis, Bandipora-Razdan Pass and Kupwara-Sadhna pass.
Dr Mukhtar said this spell may lead to disruption of surface and Air transport including Jammu- Srinagar National Highway and other major roads of middle & higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Travelers and tourists are advised to plan accordingly in view of inclement weather. People in snow bound areas are asked to avoid venturing into sloppy and Avalanche prone areas. Farmers are advised to withhold irrigation, fertilizer and chemical spray activities during the above period,” he said.
Dr. Mukhtar said that there will be significant fall in day temperature from Feb 17th onwards till 22nd February.
Briefing about the details, the Director MeT said that on 17th February, weather will remain partly to generally cloudy with possibility of light Snow at isolated higher reaches towards late night.
“On Sunday, there is possibility of light to moderate Rain/Snow at most places with heavy snowfall over isolated higher reaches of North, Northwestern, Central and South Kashmir,” he said.
In Jammu region, there is possibility of Light to moderate Rain/Snow (over higher reaches) with thunder/Lightning at many places on Sunday. From 18-20th Feb, there is also possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain with thunder, lightning in plains and moderate snowfall over higher reaches with heavy snowfall over isolated higher reaches of Ramban, Poonch, Doda and Kishtwar, he added.
Independent weather forecaster, Aadil Maqbool said that snowfall accumulation expected over higher reaches will be around 2 feet – 6 feet. Popular tourist destinations such as Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Kokernag, Pahalgam, and Doodhpatri are expected to receive fresh snowfall ranging from 2 to 4 feet.
“Moreover, the Kashmir plains are likely to experience significant snowfall accumulation between the 18th and 21st of February. Additionally, the Jammu plains may also receive moderate to heavy rain and thundershowers during the 5-day spell,” he said.
In view of the snowfall forecast, Divisional administration Kashmir has also directed its concerned officials to keep their men, material ready to tackle any emergency situation in the Valley.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir,Vijay Kumar Bidhuri told Rising Kashmir that administration has directed all Deputy Commissioners and Head of Civil Departments to keep men, material and machinery ready to tackle any exigency that may emerge from the expected snowfall.
“In a meeting today, all departments were directed to mobilize their field staff for effective & timely response to any emergency. The meeting was attended by all Deputy Commissioners, Commissioner SMC, Director ULB and officers of line departments including PWD, PHE, KPDCL, KPTCL, PMGSY and Telecommunication Service providers,” he added.
Div Com Bidhuri also said special directions were issued to KPDCL for making workshops functional to repair damaged transformers within stipulated time besides instructed to ensure restoration of power supply lines in case snow causes any disruption.
Meanwhile during the past 24 hours, there was slow movement observed on Srinagar-Jammu highway due to single lane traffic at Dalwas and poor surface condition of road at several places between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel.
Traffic Police department spokesman said on Saturday, subject to fair weather and good road condition, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars/HMVs/Load Carriers shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. Commuters are advised to follow lane discipline, it said.
He said on Srinagar-Leh highway, only one way traffic for LMVs from Kargil towards Sonamarg shall be allowed on the road. These vehicles shall be allowed from Minimarg at 1000 hrs upto 1300 hrs. 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, he said.
While Kishtwar- Sinthan- Anantnag NH-244, only one way traffic for LMVs from Kishtwar towards Anantnag on Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road. These vehicles shall be allowed at 1130 hrs upto 1430 hrs. Motorists are advised to carry anti-skid chains to gain more grip on the slippery road, the spokesman said.
Similarly Mughal Road, Bhaderwah-Chamba are still blocked due to snow accumulation
