MeT forecasts another wet spell from Mar 21

Srinagar, Mar 19: The Meteorological Department on Tuesday forecasted that there will be rain in plains and light snowfall in upper reaches of Kashmir and Jammu between March 21-22 in the region.
Director MeT Kashmir, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that there is forecast light rain and snow at many places along with thunder, lightning and gusty winds over plains of Jammu and Kashmir on March 21 and 22. However, there will be generally dry weather expected till Wednesday evening.
“From March 21-22, generally cloudy weather with possibility of light rain/snow is expected at many places with thunder/lightning & gusty winds over plains of Kashmir & Jammu Division. On March 23, generally dry weather is expected while partly to generally cloudy weather with light rain/snow at few places is expected on March 24-25,” he added.
Regarding night temperature, he said, Srinagar recorded a minimum of 3.5°C against 2.0°C on the previous night which was below normal by 1.2°C for the summer capital of JK for this time of the year.
Qazigund recorded a minimum of 2.8°C against 2.1°C on the previous night and it was 1.3°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir. Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 1.3°C against minus 1.7°C on the previous night and it was 1.4°C below normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 3.2°C against 2.9°C on the previous night and it was 0.3°C below normal. Kupwara town recorded a low of 1.3°C against 0.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.8°C below normal there, the official said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 0.5°C against minus 2.0°C on the previous night and it was above normal by 1.8°C for the world-famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Jammu recorded a minimum of 13.2°C and it was below normal by 1.7°C for the winter capital of J&K.Banihal recorded a low of 7.8°C, Batote 9.2°C and Bhaderwah 3.8°C, he said.
However, Traffic on the strategic Jammu-Srinagar national highway has been restored after remaining closed for vehicular movement due to repair work at Dalwas for a couple of hours, Officials said on Tuesday.
A J&K Traffic Police Department spokesman said that traffic was restored on Jammu-Srinagar NHW. Commuters are advised to follow lane discipline, overtaking will lead to congestion.
“Pothole filling work is still in progress at Dalwas on Jammu Srinagar NHW. Commuters are advised to keep patience and co-operate with Traffic Police and avoid travel on NH-44 till the road is clear,” he said.
On Wednesday, subject to fair weather and good road condition, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. However, HMVs shall be allowed from NAVYUG Tunnel (Qazigund side) towards Jammu after assessing the road condition.
“Cut off timing for LMVs in view of single road at Dalwas:- (subject to change depending on road condition) from Nagrota (Jammu) 0600 hrs to 1100 hrs from Jakheni (Udhampur) 0700 hrs to 1200 hrs& from NAVYUG Tunnel (Qazigund side) 0600 hrs to 1100 hrs. No Vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timing,” he said.