Srinagar, Apr 18: The plains of Kashmir valley saw heavy rain on Tuesday, while the upper reaches received minor snowfall, resulting in a dip in day temperatures. The Meteorological Departmentexpect mostly dry and clear weather on Friday and Saturday,
The heavy rain began early Tuesday morning and lasted until late afternoon in the region. The water level has increased in the water bodies and low-lying areas of Srinagar witness water clogging.
Director Meteorological Department Kashmir, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that as forecasted rain lashed plains and snowfall occurred at higher reaches of Sonmarg, Gulmarg, Drass, Karna and others areas resulting in drop in temperatures.
“On Wednesday and Thursday, there is a possibility of intermittent rain in plains and snowfall over higher reaches at many places. We are expecting thunderstorms with strong gusty winds reaching (20-30 Kmph) and Hailstorm at isolated places,” he said.
Lotus said on Friday and Saturday (Eid Fitr days), there is a possibility of mainly dry and clear weather and light forecast of rain in the evening hours.
Following the cloudy weather, various parts of Kashmir on Tuesday witnessed a significant drop in day temperatures. Srinagar recorded 15.3 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature and 11.0 °C as the minimum temperature.
Health resort Pahalgam in south Kashmir settled at 8.8 °C degrees and 5.6 °C as minimum temperatures. Ski-resort Gulmarg recorded 6.0 °C as the maximum temperature and 3.6°C as minimum temperature.
Qazigund recorded a low of 13.6 °C, Kokernag at 12.0 °C, Kupwara recorded 11.5 °C and Banihal witnessed maximum temperatures at 14.0°C respectively.
Winter Capital Jammu recorded 32.5 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature and 20.0 °C as the minimum temperature. Katra recorded 28.6 °C as maximum temperature and 18.5 as minimum temperature.
A traffic police department spokesman on Wednesday said, subject to fair weather and road clearance, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. TCU Jammu, Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic, it said.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) on Tuesday issued an avalanche warning for four districts in the Union Territory, advising people against venturing out into the avalanche-prone areas.
A JKDMA spokesperson said that an avalanche with low danger level is likely to occur above 2800 metres above sea level over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban&Ganderbal districts in next 24 hours.
“People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas till further orders”, he said.
