Sonamarg Receives Season’s First Snowfall, Rains Lash Jammu Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Sonamarg, a picturesque place in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, received the season’s first snowfall on Monday, while rains lashed the valley, bringing down the mercury across Kashmir.

Intermittent rainfall continued throughout the day across Kashmir and many parts of Jammu division today, which has brought the mercury down.

The upper reaches of Sonamarg have received light snowfall today, marking the season’s first whiteout.

The highest rainfall has been recorded in Qazigund, a gateway of Kashmir, with 25.0 mm, followed by 19.0 mm at Kokernag, according to the data prepared by the Meteorological department (MeT).

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a rainfall of 17.2 mm since this morning till 05:30 PM, while Gulmarg, a famous ski resort, recorded a precipitation of 16.4 mm.

In Pahalgam, a rainfall of 17.0 mm was recorded today, while 10.7 mm of precipitation was recorded till this evening.

In Jammu division’s Banihal station, a rainfall of 16.0 mm was recorded today. Bhaderwah saw a rainfall of 5.0 mm, Katra 4.6 mm and Batote 1.7 mm.

Moreover, flash floods have been reported in Ajas area of Bandipora. There was no flood threat anywhere in the rest of the Valley.

The water level has increased in the river Jhelum and multiple streams, but officials have clarified that there is no threat of floods as of now. They said the situation is being monitored constantly.

Meanwhile, as per the weatherman, light to moderate rain and thunder is expected at most places with intense showers and heavy rain at few places of Jammu division, especially in Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Samba and Kathua with moderate to heavy and intense showers over Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and few places of Kashmir division with gusty winds till tomorrow.

Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said that from August 20 to 22, generally hot and humid with a brief spell of thundershower is expected at a few places with isolated heavy rain over Jammu, Kathua and Samba during the 22nd night.

From August 23-25, light to moderate rain and thundershower are expected at many places with heavy rain at a few places in Jammu and Kashmir.

Moreover, in its advisory, the MeT has predicted a possibility of intense, heavy rain and thunder at a few places of Kashmir and Jammu divisions till tomorrow and during August 23-25.

Cloudburst and flash floods are expected at a few vulnerable places with landslides, mudslides and shooting stones,” the advisory reads. It has appealed to people to stay away from water bodies, streams, nallahs, river embankments, loose structures, Kacha houses and other such places.

The travellers, transporters, tourists and trekkers have been advised to plan accordingly. (KNO)