Met Warns of Heavy Snow, Landslides as Cold Conditions Intensify | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: A fresh spell of heavy rain and snowfall is likely to affect parts of Jammu and Kashmir later this week, with the Meteorological Department warning of adverse weather conditions, including landslides and strong winds, particularly around January 23.

Officials said a western disturbance is expected to impact the region, bringing the possibility of heavy rain or snowfall over a few districts of the Jammu and Kashmir divisions on January 23 and 27. The Met office has cautioned that the weather system could trigger landslides at vulnerable locations and cause gusty winds during the period.

In view of the forecast, farmers have been advised to suspend farm operations, while residents have been urged to plan travel and other activities carefully. Authorities have also asked people to remain cautious, especially in hilly and landslide-prone areas, as weather conditions are expected to deteriorate.

The advisory comes amid prevailing cold wave conditions across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, where night temperatures have shown a declining trend over the past 24 hours, according to official data.

Minimum temperatures dropped across most parts of the region on Tuesday compared to the previous day, with several areas in the Kashmir Valley recording a sharp fall.

In the Kashmir region, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, down from minus 1.2 degrees Celsius on Monday. Srinagar Airport settled at minus 4.4 degrees Celsius compared to minus 3.8 degrees Celsius a day earlier.

Pahalgam recorded minus 4.0 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg registered minus 5.5 degrees Celsius. Sonamarg showed a marginal improvement, recording minus 6.2 degrees Celsius compared to Monday’s minus 8.3 degrees Celsius. Kupwara rose slightly to minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, while Qazigund remained nearly steady at around minus 2.3 degrees Celsius.

In south Kashmir, Pulwama and Shopian recorded minimum temperatures of minus 5.5 degrees Celsius and minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, respectively. Budgam cooled to minus 4.3 degrees Celsius, while Beerwah recorded a sharp dip to minus 4.9 degrees Celsius.

North Kashmir’s Baramulla recorded minus 2.1 degrees Celsius, while Bandipora dropped to minus 2.9 degrees Celsius.

In the Jammu region, temperatures remained largely stable. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 7.4 degrees Celsius, while Banihal cooled sharply to minus 1.6 degrees Celsius. Bhaderwah recorded minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, and Katra remained steady at 7.4 degrees Celsius.

In Ladakh, Leh recorded minus 9.0 degrees Celsius, while Hanle showed a marginal improvement at minus 13.3 degrees Celsius. (KNO)