Srinagar, Feb 25: The Meteorological Department (MeT) on Sunday forecasted light rain in plains and snowfall over upper reaches during the next 24 hours in the region.
Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that from February 26-March 3, they were expecting intermittent rain, thunderstorm accompanied by gusty winds in plains, and snowfall over higher reaches of the region.
He said on February 27, there is a possibility of light rain, snow at scattered to fairly widespread places during 26th night to 27th forenoon.
“In view of heavy to very heavy snowfall over few middle & Higher reaches: Travellers or Tourists are advised to follow admin/Traffic police advisory,” the MeT Director said.
He said that general public over hilly areas are advised not to venture in avalanche prone areas and sloppy areas. There are chances of landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at few places, Dr Mukhtar said.
On Saturday late night, isolated places witnessed dip in temperatures due to light snowfall and rains. Kashmir witnessed a dip in night temperatures, Srinagar recorded 11.2 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature and 0.5°C as the minimum temperature.
Health resort Pahalgam in south Kashmir settled at 7.1 °C degrees and minus 6 °C as minimum temperatures. Ski-resort Gulmarg recorded 0.1 °C as the maximum temperature and 10 °C as the minimum temperature.
Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) on issued an avalanche warning for the Ganderbal district of Kashmir division, advising people against venturing out into the avalanche-prone areas.
A spokesperson said avalanche with low danger level is likely to occur above 2300 metres above sea level over Bandipora, Ganderbal, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch & Ramban 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.
During the past 24 hours, traffic plied both sides on Jammu-Srinagar highway but very slow movement at Dalwas due to single lane and poor surface.
The traffic police spokesman said that on Monday, subject to fair weather and road clearance, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars shall be allowed from Srinagar-Jammu NHW. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut-off timing
Similarly, on the Srinagar-Leh road, only one-way traffic ( Light Motor Vehicles Goods carrier 04 Chakka ) from Srinagar towards Kargil shall be allowed on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road. These vehicles shall be allowed from Sonamarg up to 0830 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut-off timing, the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Srinagar-Leh highway, Mughal Road, Kupwara-Tangdhar road and Sinthan-Kishtwar road are still snowbound and closed. The snow Clearance operation are underway on these roads.
