MeT issues ‘Yellow Alert’, forecasts widespread snowfall in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 28: The Meteorological Department (MeT) Wednesday issued a Yellow Alert advisory in view of heavy snowfall and rains forecast between March 1st-3rd in Kashmir valley. The Divisional administration has directed all the departments to keep men, and machinery ready to tackle any emergency because of the snowfall forecast.
Director MeT, Dr.Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that they were expecting widespread snowfall in higher reaches and rain in plains from Thursday evening till March 3.
He said there is a forecast of widespread moderate rain and snow is expected over most places of J&K till 3rd March and its peak activity will be on 1st night to 2nd night (March).
“Few places may experience heavy to very heavy snow, particularly over higher reaches of north Kashmir, Central and South Kashmir and PirPanjal range of Jammu Division,” Dr.Mukhtar said.
The MeT Director said that a few places may experience thunder, lightning, and hailstorms accompanied by gusty winds during the 1st & 2nd March. Tourist places like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgamand Doodhpathri can receive snowfall upto 2-4 feet during the period.
He said they have also issued an advisory given the forecast, travellers and tourists are advised to plan accordingly & follow admin/Traffic police advisory. The general public over hilly areas is advised not to venture into Avalanche-prone areas & sloppy areas.
Dr.Mukhtar said that there are chances of landslides and mudslides and shooting stones at a few places along the major highways of the region. Farmers are advised to withhold irrigation and other farm operations during the 1st week of March, he said.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri told Rising Kashmir that the administration has already directed all the departments to keep men, and machinery ready to tackle any emergency during snowfall forecast.
“We will ensure that all roads and highways will be cleared within a short period,” he said.
Meanwhile, the traffic police department has issued a “Traffic Advisory”, regarding the movement of vehicular traffic with safety measures along hilly roads of the Kashmir Valley.
Senior Superintendent of Police Traffic, Rural Kashmir, Ravinder Pal Singh in an advisory said, under a weather advisory, circulated by the Meteorological Department change in prevailing climatic conditions across the U.T of J&K with rain/snowfall, particularly in hilly areas is expected to occur, as such motorists are advised to follow below guidelines/ instructions strictly.
“During snowing/slippery hilly roads only (4X4) vehicles & vehicles with anti-skid chains, having seating capacity not more than 10 seats shall be allowed to ply along hilly roads, particularly along Tangmarg-Gulmarg, Mughal Road, Zojila, Sinthon, Gurez-Bandipora, Pahalgam- Chandanwari, Kupwara-Karnah and Kupwara-Machil roads, in case such roads are open for vehicular traffic,” it said.
It said that to avoid undue rush/traffic jams, only registered anti-skid chain vendors shall be allowed to fix chains at designated locations. No motorist shall be allowed to park his vehicle other than at designated parking slots, strict action shall be taken against drivers/motorists parking their vehicles wrongly on the roadside.
“No vehicle with invalid documents shall be allowed to ply along hilly roads to avoid any unpleasant incident,” reads the advisory.
So far Kashmir witnessed a prolonged dry spell this year. But in recent weeks, the valley has received two significant spells of snowfall. Meanwhile, nighttime temperatures improved in Kashmir Valley and stayed above normal in all major stations on Wednesday.
As per MeT data, Srinagar recorded at 4.5 °C, Qazigund settled at 2.0.2, Kokernag at 1.1°C, Gulmarg was the coldest place, with a low of -5.6°C against -6.4°C the previous night. Pahalgam settled at -2.6°C and Kupwara also had a low of 1.0°C.
A traffic police department spokesman said during the past 24 hours, the Jammu-Srinagar highway remained blocked for 03 hours due to a landslide at Cafeteria Morh in Ramban. The slow movement was observed on NH-44 due to the breakdown of 05 HMVs, single lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad-Cafeteria, Gangroo, Nachlala, etc., and poor surface condition of the road at many places between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel, he said.
“Passengers/LMVs operators are advised to prefer journeys on Jammu-Srinagar NHW during day time. Please avoid journeys during night hours as apprehension of shooting stones between Ramban and Banihal.
The HMV operators and owners are requested to desist from overloading and carry sufficient fuel during the journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW. It is further requested that vehicle owners must double-check the fitness of their vehicles and carry sufficient fuel before undertaking a journey on the Jammu-Srinagar NHW.
The spokesman said that in view of the single lane and the poor surface of the road at Dalwas, Mehad-Cafeteria, Gangroo, Hingni, KishtwariPather, etc., Management has decided tomorrow only one-way traffic shall be allowed on Jammu Srinagar NHW (NH-44) till the road get double lane.
He said subject to fair weather and good road conditions, only one-way traffic from Jammu towards Srinagar shall be allowed on Jammu -Srinagar NHW-(NH-44). Meanwhile, the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri highway and Mughal road are still blocked due to snow accumulation