MeT predicts widespread snowfall, rains today in Kashmir

MeT predicts widespread snowfall, rains today in Kashmir

• Higher reaches receive light spell snowfall, rains

• Night temperatures improved

• Weather likely to improve from Tuesday

• No traffic on Mughal road today

Srinagar: Higher reaches of valley Sunday experienced a fresh spell of light to moderate snowfall, while plains remained under heavy cloud cover. The Meteorological Department has predicted that prevailing weather conditions would continue and expected a widespread snowfall on Monday, officials said.

As per the MeT department officials, Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded 2 inches of fresh snowfall on Sunday, 2-3 inches in Gurez, 2 inches in Machil sector, and 4 inches Zojila-Drass highway. While upper reaches of the Tral belt, Nathatop, Yarikhah Noorabad Kulgam, and Shopian areas also received light snowfall till Sunday evening.

Director Meteorological Department, Kashmir, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that as forecasted upper reaches received moderate snowfall till Sunday late evening, while plains experienced light rains.

“The prevailing weather cycle would continue on Monday and there are chances of improvement from Tuesday onward,” he said.

Lotus said they were expecting light to moderate snow (2-3 Inches) in plains and moderate snow (5-6 Inches) over higher reaches most likely from Sunday late night till Monday evening. While some places of higher reaches may receive up to 1 feet of snow, he said.

The MeT Director said barring some places on higher reaches, there is no forecast of any major snowfall in both regions.

“The prevailing weather system will also affect Pirpanjal, Poonch-Rajouri, Reasi, Banihal- Batote axis, and rains will also occur at other districts of J&K as well,” he said.

Meanwhile, following the cloudy weather cover, the minimum temperature improved for a second consecutive day on Sunday. Srinagar recorded minus 1.8°C against on Saturday night. Qazigund 1.2°C against the previous night’s minus 4.6°C.

Pahalgam recorded a low of 3.8°C while Ski resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir settled at minus 7.5°C on the previous night.

Ladakh’s Leh had a low of minus 10.4°C against last night’s minus 10.4°C while the Kargil station recorded a minimum of minus 9.2°C.

As per the traffic advisory issued by the traffic department in view of the MeT prediction, it has advised commuters not to travel along the Jammu-Srinagar highway without confirming the status of the road from Traffic Control Units in Jammu and Srinagar.

However, subject to fair weather and better road conditions on Saturday, LMVs(passengers) shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW via Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa.

While following the fresh snowfall along historic Mughal road, no traffic will be allowed on Monday.

While on Subject to fair weather and good road condition, one-way traffic shall be allowed from Kargil towards Srinagar on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road.