Srinagar, Feb 28: After three days of inclement weather, isolated areas in the Kashmir and Jammu divisions experienced light rain and snowfall on Friday. The Meteorological Department has forecasted another wet spell from March 1 to March 3, 2025.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department in Srinagar, told Rising Kashmir that J&K witnessed generally cloudy weather on Friday, with widespread light to moderate rain and snowfall. Some areas in Jammu Division experienced heavy rain and snow. “A gradual improvement in weather conditions is expected, starting with North and Central Kashmir from the afternoon of March 1, followed by South Kashmir in the late afternoon and the Chenab Valley by evening or night,” he said.
The forecast for March 2 indicates generally cloudy skies with isolated to scattered light rain or snow. By March 3, light to moderate rain or snow is expected to return to many areas. “Generally dry weather is expected from March 4 to 8,” Dr. Ahmad added.
Officials have warned that the rain and snowfall may cause temporary disruptions to surface transportation, particularly over Sadhna Pass, Razdhan Pass, the Sonamarg-Zojila-Gumri axis, Mughal Road, Sinthan Pass, and other major roads in hilly districts. Travellers, tourists, and transporters have been urged to follow administrative and traffic advisories.
“Farmers are advised to suspend irrigation and other farm operations. There is also a risk of landslides, mudslides, and falling rocks in vulnerable locations, with the possibility of snow avalanches in higher reaches,” the MeT advisory stated.
Snowfall measurements in the past 24 hours include 3.5 feet in Sonamarg, 3 feet in Gulmarg, and 3 feet in Doodhpatri. Yousmarg reported over 2 feet, Daksum 1 foot, Verinag 10 inches, Pahalgam 10 inches, and Kukarnag 8-10 inches. Light rain continued in the plains of Kashmir for the fourth consecutive day.
Flight operations at Srinagar International Airport were disrupted on Friday morning due to snowfall, but services resumed by noon. Two flights, 6E 2641 from Delhi and 6E 262 from Srinagar to Chandigarh, were cancelled, and other flights experienced delays of 30 to 50 minutes, according to the airport spokesperson.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir State Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) also issued an avalanche warning in eight districts of Jammu and Kashmir for the next 24 hours.
A JKDMA spokesperson said that an avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur in Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Baramulla.
He said that people living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas.
Meanwhile, traffic was suspended along 270 kms of Jammu-Srinagar national highway on Friday after heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides and shooting stones in the Ramban district, officials said.
SSP Rohit Baskotra said that Friday was not the first day; it has been raining continuously for the third day, with significant rainfall. After the highway will be cleared, traffic will be allowed to ply on the highway, he added.
A traffic police spokesman said that Jammu Srinagar NHW is still closed at Hingni, Gangroo, Kishtwari Pather, Mom Passi, Mehar due to shooting stones and at Cafeteria, Dalwas due to mudslides.
“Restoration work is going on. Commuters are advised to avoid journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW till the restoration work is completed,” he said.
The spokesman said that a decision regarding the vehicular movement on Jammu-Srinagar NHW shall be taken on Saturday after assessment of road condition and getting green signal from road maintenance agencies.
Meanwhile, following the fresh snowfall along Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri Road and Mughal Road, no traffic will be allowed on these highways on Friday.
