Srinagar, Feb 17: Higher reaches of valley Saturday experienced a light rainfall, while plains remained under heavy cloud cover. The Meteorological Department has forecasted heavy snowfall and moderate rains during the next 24 hours in the Himalayan region, officials said.
Director Meteorological Department, Kashmir, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that a strong Western disturbance is affecting Jammu and Kashmir under its influence widespread rain and snow are expected during the next 3 days.
“On Sunday there is a possibility of light to moderate Rain, snow at most places with heavy snowfall over isolated higher reaches of North, Northwestern, Central and South Kashmir,” he said.
On Monday, there is also possibility of light to moderate rain, snow at most places (Plains & Lower reaches) with possibility of heavy to very heavy snowfall over middle & higher reaches of Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Budgam districts.
Similarly in the Jammu region, there is a possibility of light to moderate Rain/Snow (over higher reaches) with thunder/Lightning at many places on Sunday.
“From 18-20th Feb, there is also possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain with thunder, lightning in plains and moderate snowfall over higher reaches with heavy snowfall over isolated higher reaches of Ramban, Poonch, Doda and Kishtwar,” he added.
Meanwhile, J&K Disaster Management Authority on Saturday issued medium danger level avalanche warning in eight districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
A JKDA Spokesman said that avalanche with low danger level is likely to occur above 2200 metres over Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara, Ganderbal, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, and Ramban districts in the next 24 hours.
“People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas,” he added.
Meanwhile, the traffic police department has issued “Traffic Advisory”, regarding movement of vehicular traffic with safety measures along hilly roads of the Kashmir Valley.
Sr. Superintendent of Police Traffic Rural Kashmir, Ravinder Pal Singh in an advisory said, pursuant to weather advisory, circulated by Meteorological Department change in prevailing climatic condition 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 in order 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 road side.
“No vehicle with invalid documents shall be allowed to ply along hilly roads to avoid any unpleasant incident,” reads the advisory.
