Snowfall in higher reaches, rain in plains

Srinagar, Mar 18: Erratic weather conditions returned to Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday as another Western disturbance affected the region, bringing snowfall to higher reaches and rain across the plains.

The unexpected weather shift has led to a noticeable drop in temperatures, with the Meteorological Department (MeT) forecasting more precipitation in the coming days.

“We are expecting the impact of two more western disturbances till March 20, which could bring further rain and snowfall,” a MeT official said.

Light snowfall was recorded in several higher reaches, while rains lashed the plains, disrupting vehicular movement in many areas, officials said.

“The tourist resorts of Gulmarg and Sonamarg received light snowfall,” an official said.

Fresh snowfall was also reported from multiple high-altitude areas.

“Places including Pir Ki Gali along the Mughal Road, Zojila axis, Razdan Top, Gurez, Sinthan Top and Sadhna Top received fresh snowfall,” the official said. “Margan Top also recorded light snowfall.”

Several key roads remained shut due to snow accumulation.

“The Gurez-Bandipora road, Sinthan-Kishtwar road and Margan Top–Warwan road have remained closed for the fourth consecutive day,” an official said.

However, the Mughal Road was reopened later in the day.

“The road was reopened around noon after snow clearance operations, including at Pir Ki Gali,” the official said.

Snow clearance work was continuing at other high-altitude passes, officials said.

Vehicular movement on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway remained suspended.

“Traffic is not plying on the highway due to snow accumulation at Zojila Pass,” an official said.

Meanwhile, intermittent rainfall continued across the plains of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Srinagar recorded 5 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours,” an official said. “Pahalgam received 5.4 mm, Kupwara 3.5 mm, Kokernag 0.5 mm, and Qazigund 1.8 mm.”

The Jammu region also witnessed rainfall, while higher reaches recorded snowfall.

“Jammu recorded 4.6 mm of rainfall, Banihal 3.5 mm, Batote 7.6 mm, Katra 13 mm and Bhaderwah 0.8 mm,” an official said. “The higher reaches of Kishtwar received light snowfall.”

The Ladakh region also experienced precipitation.

“Higher reaches of Leh, Kargil, Drass, and Nubra received snowfall,” an official said.

The wet weather led to a drop in temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh.

“Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 8.4 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, nearly 7.6 degrees Celsius below normal,” an official said. “The minimum temperature settled at 6.7 degrees Celsius, which is 1.7 degrees Celsius above normal.”

Other stations across Kashmir and Jammu regions also recorded below-normal maximum temperatures, ending a recent spell of unusually warm days, officials said.

The MeT said the erratic weather is likely to persist.

“There is a possibility of spells of light to moderate rain or snow in a JK till March 20,” the MeT office said.

Srinagar-Jammu NH open

M M Parvaiz reports from Ramban

Despite a fresh spell of rainfall, the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway remained open for two-way traffic on Wednesday.

However, vehicular movement was slow, particularly along the Ramban-Banihal sector, due to adverse weather conditions and ongoing road widening works.

Officials from the Traffic Department said that Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and heavy vehicles continued to ply from both directions, though traffic moved at a sluggish pace between Udhampur and Banihal owing to intermittent rain and fog.

The worst-affected stretches were reported between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather, where single-lane road sections and four-laning construction have created bottlenecks.

The movement was further disrupted after a few heavy vehicles broke down, causing temporary congestion in the area.

Despite these challenges, hundreds of passenger vehicles, including private cars and buses, travelled on the highway throughout the day.

Load carriers also continued their movement, albeit at a reduced speed.

Traffic authorities said that the highway would remain open on Thursday as well, subject to favourable weather and road conditions.

A fresh advisory has been issued, allowing traffic from both Srinagar and Jammu sides.

Passengers and LMV operators have been advised to travel only during daylight hours. Night travel has been discouraged due to risks of landslides, shooting stones, and ongoing construction activities along the Ramban-Banihal stretch.

Commuters have also been urged to check the latest traffic updates with Traffic Control Units in Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, and Ramban before starting their journey.