Srinagar, Mar 22: Fresh snowfall occurred along higher reaches of the valley while moderate to heavy rains lashed plains for 2nd consecutive day on Friday. The meteorological department has forecasted improvement in prevailing weather conditions from Saturday onward.
Director MeT Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that as forecasted rains lash plains and moderate snowfall was recorded in higher reaches for 2nd day.
“The ongoing wet spell will continue and thereafter we are expecting improvement in prevailing weather conditions from Saturday onward,” he said. The higher reaches including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Bandipora, Kupwara, and Shopian experienced light snowfall, while rains continued in plains, “ he said.
Regarding the forecast, from 23rd-26th March, weather will remain mostly generally dry with brief cloudiness on 23rd evening. 27th March, weather will remain partly to generally cloudy with Light Rain/Snow at few places. Farmers are advised to resume farm operations after 23rd March,” Dr Mukhtar said.
Due to incessant overnight rainfall, many parts of Srinagar city witnessed water logging. Following the inclement weather, a massive dip was witnessed in temperatures in the valley. There was increase water level in river Jhelum other water bodies in the region
“The minimum temperature recorded on Friday in Srinagar was 7.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Qazigund 7.0 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 3.7 degrees Celsius, Kupwara 6.6 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 5.6 degrees Celsius, and Gulmarg -0.5 degrees Celsius,” the MeT office said.
Meanwhile, Srinagar received 9.7 mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours while Qazigund received 3.5 mm of rainfall, Pahalgam 16.0 mm of rainfall, Kupwara 9.0 mm of rainfall, Kokernag 2.9 mm of rainfall, Gulmarg 18.4 mm of rainfall.
A traffic police spokesman said that during the past 24 hours, there was slow movement observed on NH-44 due to single lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad, Panthyal, Nachlana, Shalgarhi etc. and poor surface condition of road at many places between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel.
“On Saturday, 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,” he said.
The spokesman said that the 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.
About Srinagar Leh highway, subject to fair weather and good road condition only one way traffic for LMVs (Load carrier) from Kargil towards Srinagar shall be allowed on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road.
“These vehicles shall be allowed from Minamarg at 1000 hrs upto 1300 hrs. Motorists are advised to carry anti-skid chains to gain more grip on the slippery road. No vehicle shall be allowed without anti-skid chain/after cut off timing . No movement of passenger vehicles shall be allowed on SSG Road till the road is fully operational,” the spokesman said.
