Weather improves after rain, snow in J&K; 2 more Western Disturbances likely

Srinagar, Mar 16: Weather conditions improved across Jammu and Kashmir on Monday afternoon after widespread rainfall in the plains and light to moderate snowfall in the higher reaches.

The Meteorological Department has forecast two more Western Disturbances that could bring additional precipitation in the coming days.

Officials said most higher reaches of Kashmir received light to moderate snowfall, while the plains were lashed by rain that disrupted vehicular movement on several stretches.

“The tourist resorts of Gulmarg in Baramulla district, Doodhpathri in Budgam district, and Sonamarg in Ganderbal district received light snowfall of about 3 to 4 inches,” officials said.

The higher reaches also recorded fresh snowfall.

“Areas including Pir Ki Gali along the Mughal Road in Shopian district, the Zojila axis, Razdan Top and Gurez in Bandipora district, and Sinthan Top connecting Anantnag with Kishtwar received snowfall ranging from 5 to 6 inches,” officials said.

“Sadhna Top in Kupwara district recorded more than 12 inches of fresh snowfall, while Sinthan Top and Margan Top received between 8 and 10 inches,” they said.

The snowfall forced the closure of several key road links, including the Gurez-Bandipora road, Sinthan-Kishtwar road, Margan Top-Warwan Road and the Mughal Road, an alternate route connecting the Kashmir with Chenab Valley.

According to an advisory issued by the Office of the District Magistrate Anantnag, heavy snowfall and hazardous road conditions have made travel in the area risky.

“Heavy snowfall, slippery road surfaces and the risk of avalanches and landslides have made movement in the area extremely dangerous for both vehicles and pedestrians,” the advisory said.

Authorities said that all vehicular and pedestrian movement toward Sinthan Top and Margan Top has been suspended until further orders.

“All vehicular and pedestrian movement towards Sinthan Top and Margan Top shall remain suspended until further orders in order to safeguard human life,” the advisory said.

The administration also directed enforcement agencies to ensure compliance.

“Jammu and Kashmir Police, Traffic Police and road maintenance agencies including NHIDCL have been directed to strictly enforce the advisory and regulate public movement on these routes,” the advisory said.

Tourists, locals, and transport operators have been advised not to travel to the affected areas.

“Tourists, locals and transport operators are strongly advised not to travel towards the affected areas until the roads are officially declared safe,” the advisory said, warning that violations would invite action under relevant laws.

However, the Mughal Road was reopened for traffic late Monday afternoon after snow clearance operations were completed along the route, including at Pir Ki Gali, officials said.

Snow clearance operations were continuing at other high-altitude passes.

Vehicular movement was also suspended on the Srinagar-Leh highway following the accumulation of nearly 6 inches of snow at Zojila Pass.

Intermittent rainfall continued in the plains of Jammu and Kashmir until Monday morning.

“Srinagar recorded 15.9 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours,” officials said.

Pahalgam received 15.7 mm rainfall, Kokernag 10.2 mm, Kupwara 14.0 mm, and Qazigud 9.4 mm rainfall.

The plains of Jammu witnessed light to moderate rainfall, while the higher reaches of Kishtwar and Ramban recorded light snowfall.

Jammu recorded 20.8 mm rainfall;l, Banihal 24.9 mm, Batote 31.4 mm, Katra 19.6 mm, Bhaderwah 19 mm, and Kathua 22.2 mm.

The Ladakh region also experienced precipitation, with snowfall reported in the higher reaches of Leh, Kargil, Drass, and Nubra.

The wet weather led to a drop in temperatures across Kashmir.

Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius on Sunday, nearly 4.5 degrees below normal.

However, on Monday, temperatures improved slightly with 14.7 degrees Celsius recorded in the city, 0.4 below normal.

Minimum temperatures also dipped sharply with Srinagar recording 5.3 degrees Celsius-only 1.6 above normal.

Other weather stations across Kashmir as well as Jammu also reported below-normal maximum temperatures, breaking the recent trend of unusually high daytime temperatures.

The Meteorological Department (MeT) forecast erratic weather conditions until March 20.

“There is a possibility of a brief spell of light rain or snow in higher reaches at isolated places on Tuesday,” the MeT said.

“From March 18 to 20, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy with intermittent light to moderate rain or snowfall at many places,” it said.

Another wet spell is likely on March 24 and 25.

“Light rain or snowfall in the higher reaches is likely at scattered places during this period,” the MeT said.

“There is also a possibility of thunder or gusty winds with speeds of 40 to 50 kmph at a few places from March 18 to 20,” it said.

The department has advised farmers to suspend farm operations until March 20 due to the expected weather conditions.