Widespread rains, snow bring sharp temperature drop across Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 15: Fresh snowfall in higher reaches and rainfall across the plains of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday brought a sharp drop in temperatures, pushing them below normal for the first time since February, officials said.

Officials reported snowfall ranging from 4 to 6 inches in several high-altitude areas, including Peer Ki Gali, Sinthan Top, Margan Top, Gulmarg, Doodhpathri, Gurez Valley, Sadhna Top, and the upper reaches of Pahalgam and along the Sonamarg-Zojila axis.

Due to slippery conditions, the Gurez-Bandipora road and the Sonamarg-Zojila road connecting Kashmir with Kargil and Leh closed for vehicular traffic.

Authorities also shut the Mughal Road linking Kashmir with the Pir Panjal region, along with the Sinthan Top and Margan Top routes connecting Kashmir with Chenab Valley.

Light to moderate snowfall was also reported from several parts of Kishtwar district in Jammu division, including the twin valleys of Marwah and Warwan, besides upper reaches of Ramban district.

Most plains across Kashmir and parts of Jammu received light to moderate rainfall ranging from 3 mm to 13 mm.

Srinagar recorded 12.1 mm of rainfall by evening, while Qazigund received 8.4 mm, Pahalgam 9.3 mm, Kupwara 5.2 mm, and Kokernag 7.2 mm.

In Jammu division, Jammu city recorded 2.4 mm of rainfall, Banihal 15 mm, Batote 24.4 mm, Katra 3.8 mm, and Bhaderwah 13.4 mm.

Ladakh also witnessed precipitation, with snowfall reported in the higher reaches of Leh, Kargil, Drass, and Nubra Valley.

“Fresh precipitation has drastically brought down maximum temperatures that had been running far above seasonal averages across Kashmir,” Director of the Meteorological Department, Mukhtar Ahmad said.

Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 11.5 degrees Celsius, about 3.6 degrees Celsius below normal, while Qazigund registered 11 degrees Celsius, nearly 3.3 degrees Celsius below normal.

Temperatures also dropped in other parts of Kashmir, with Gulmarg recording 5.2 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 9.4 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 11.6 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara 11.6 degrees Celsius.

“The temperatures that had been running 12 to 14 degrees Celsius above seasonal averages through February and the first nine days of March have now fallen about 3 to 5 degrees below normal across Kashmir and parts of Jammu,” Ahmad said.

He said erratic weather conditions were likely to continue across J&K until March 20 as multiple Western Disturbances affect the region.

The Meteorological Department forecast intermittent light to moderate rain in the plains and more snowfall in higher reaches at many places until the forenoon of March 16.

“On March 17, the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy with brief spells of light rain or snowfall at isolated higher-altitude locations,” Ahmad said.

From March 18 to 20, generally cloudy conditions with intermittent light to moderate rain or snowfall are expected at many places, mainly during night and morning hours.

The department advised travellers and transporters, particularly those moving through mountain passes and higher reaches, to plan their journeys carefully.

It also warned of thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph at some places during March 15-16 and again between March 18 and 20.

Farmers have been advised to suspend farm operations between March 15 and 20 due to the expected adverse weather conditions.

Despite the fresh precipitation, meteorologists said that the 67 percent rainfall deficit in J&K is unlikely to be significantly reduced.

For the November-February winter period, J&K recorded 106.7 mm of precipitation against a normal of 320.1 mm, placing it in the “large deficient” category.

The Kashmir division received 96.5 mm against a normal of 288.9 mm, a deficit of 67 percent, while the Jammu division recorded 117.8 mm against a normal of 347.2 mm, a shortfall of 66 percent.

February was particularly dry, with only 14.2 mm of precipitation recorded against a normal of 130.4 mm – a deficit of nearly 89 percent.

Neighbouring Ladakh recorded 8.3 mm of precipitation against a normal of 16.8 mm during the same period, marking a 51 percent deficit.

Ahmad said the Western Disturbances affecting the region are mostly weak to moderate and will bring only light to moderate precipitation.

“Several areas have already recorded light to moderate rain, while higher reaches have received light snowfall,” he said adding more precipitation is expected.

The precipitation is expected to provide some relief from the unusually warm conditions that dominated late winter.

Kashmir recorded its warmest February this year in terms of average daytime temperatures.

In Srinagar, the average maximum temperature for February reached 15.6 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record of 14.9 degrees Celsius set in 2016.

The warmth was particularly noticeable during the last two weeks of the month, when daytime temperatures frequently hovered between 20 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees Celsius.

Even hill stations reported unusually high temperatures.

Gulmarg recorded 17.2 degrees Celsius, about 13.7 degrees Celsius above normal, while Pahalgam reached 22.7 degrees Celsius, nearly 12.7°C above average.

Earlier this month, Srinagar and Qazigund each touched 25 degrees Celsius, roughly 12 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms. Kupwara and Kokernag recorded 23.8 degrees Celsius and 23.9 degrees Celsius.

Meteorologists warned that the dry winter could have long-term implications for water availability, as seasonal snowfall is crucial for replenishing glaciers, streams and irrigation systems.

“March and April are climatologically among the wettest months in Kashmir, but it is still premature to predict rainfall trends for the rest of the spring,” Ahmad said.

30 vehicles carrying 200 passengers rescued at Sinthan Top

Authorities in Kishtwar and Anantnag districts on Sunday rescued more than 30 vehicles carrying around 200 passengers who were stranded at Sinthan Top following fresh snowfall.

The Daksum-Sinthan Top-Kishtwar road was closed after snowfall blocked the high-altitude pass.

“Over 30 Light Motor Vehicles and heavy vehicles carrying about 200 passengers have been rescued at Sinthan Top by the Kishtwar and Anantnag administrations, police and NHIDCL,” Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat told Greater Kashmir.

He said the rescue operation was ongoing and that most stranded passengers had either reached or were on their way to their destinations in Kishtwar and Anantnag.

Officials said sudden snowfall blocked the pass, forcing authorities to make strenuous efforts to clear the stranded passenger vehicles.

“The rescue operation was carried out by the district administration and police after the matter was brought to the attention of the Deputy commissioners and Senior superintendents of Police  of Kishtwar and Anantnag,” officials said.

Member of Parliament Sajjad Kichloo appreciated the authorities’ efforts in ensuring passenger safety.

“Spoke with the Deputy Commissioner and SSP of Kishtwar regarding stranded passengers at Sinthan Top. Around 80 passengers have been rescued and are reaching Aloo Farm. Appreciate the efforts of the district and police administration,” Kichloo posted on microblogging site ‘X’.

Sinthan Top is a high-altitude pass connecting Kishtwar in Chenab Valley with Kashmir via Daksum-Anantnag and often experiences harsh weather during winter months, forcing its closure.

Meanwhile, the administration and Police also rescued several passengers stranded at Margan Top, another high-altitude pass connecting south Kashmir’s Anantnag district with the twin valleys of Marwah and Warwan.

The 100-km Larnoo-Margan Top-Warwan road, opened in 2007 to connect the valleys with Kokernag in south Kashmir, serves as the region’s only surface link to the outside world.

In its absence, residents either trek long distances to reach Kishtwar or wait until summer to travel via the Kokernag-Sinthan route.

Gulzar Bhat reports from Shopian

Farmers in south Kashmir’s Shopian district welcomed rainfall on Sunday after weeks of dry weather, saying the showers would help them begin crucial agricultural and orchard activities that had been delayed due to lack of soil moisture.

Several parts of the district witnessed steady rains through the day, bringing relief to orchardists who had been waiting for moisture to apply fertilisers and prepare their fields for the new season.

“We were unable to apply fertilisers due to lack of moisture in the soil. The rains have provided the much-needed relief,” said Tariq Ahmad, an orchardist from Aliyalpora in Shopian.

He said the rainfall would also help farmers undertake new plantations and improve soil conditions in orchards ahead of the active spring growth period.

Farmers in the district had grown concerned after an unusual rise in temperatures from mid-February triggered early bud break in fruit trees and early blooming of almond blossoms, raising fears of potential crop damage if weather conditions turned adverse.

Many orchardists said the dry conditions had delayed key farm operations and that Sunday’s rainfall would help stabilise soil moisture and support orchard health during the early stage of the growing season.

While rainfall brought relief in the plains, higher reaches experienced snowfall. The Mughal Road, which connects south Kashmir with the Rajouri and Poonch districts of Pir Panjal region, received around 2 to 3 inches of fresh snow.

Officials said traffic was plying on the road earlier in the day, but authorities later decided to shut it as a precautionary measure due to slippery conditions following the snowfall.

An official said the road had been closed temporarily to ensure the safety of commuters as intermittent snowfall and low temperatures affected the higher reaches along the route.

The Mughal Road, which passes through the Pir Panjal range, often experiences weather-related disruptions during early spring when fresh snowfall occurs in elevated areas.

Tarique Raheem reports from Kupwara

As predicted by weather men, Kupwara plains witnessed incessant rainfall on Sunday while the upper reaches received light snowfall.

An official said that the upper reaches of Kupwara including Ferkin, Z-Gali, Bangus Valley, Budnamal, Jumagand, and Kumkadi witnessed light snowfall.

He said that roads leading to Karnah, Keran, and Machil were open for traffic but people should enquire about the status of respective roads before they start their travel to avoid any type of inconvenience.

Meanwhile, people faced lot of problems due to water logging in parts of main town Kupwara and Handwara.

People expressed resentment against the authorities for failing to macadamise new bus stand Handwara, resulting in severe hardships to them.

They said that the condition of bus stand had turned worse as big potholes had made the life of vehicle owners and passengers miserable.

“Had this stand been macamidised, we would have not been facing hardships. We are forced to wade through waters to reach our destinations,” a shopkeeper said.

Meanwhile, district administration issued a weather advisory saying, “In view of the forecast by Metrological Department, moderate snowfall is expected over the higher altitudes while there is a possibility of rain over plains of J&K due to the Western Disturbances. The people of the district in general and those residing in the areas like Keran, Karnah, Machill, Budnamal, Jumugund, Nowgam, Kumkadi, and those living on the periphery of different Nallahs and rivers which are prone to sliding and flash floods are advised to refrain from venturing in these areas till the improvement of weather.”

Sumit Bhargav reports from Rajouri

After a prolonged dry spell, several areas of Rajouri and Poonch districts of Pir Panjal region finally received much-needed relief as rainfall began early Sunday morning and continued intermittently till evening.

The rainfall has effectively ended the extended dry conditions in the region and also brought a noticeable dip in temperature across the twin border districts making people feel winter chill once again ending surge in temperature witnessed in last one and half week.

While the low-lying plain areas witnessed light to moderate rainfall, the upper reaches experienced fresh snowfall.

The mountainous pass of Pir Ki Gali on the Mughal Road received significant snowfall during the day.

According to initial reports, around 4 to 6 inches of fresh snowfall has been recorded at Pir Ki Gali and in view of the snowfall and slippery road conditions, the concerned authorities ordered the closure of the Mughal Road for vehicular movement as a precautionary measure.

Officials said that the situation was being closely monitored and further decisions regarding the reopening of the road would be taken depending on weather conditions and road clearance operations.

SSP Traffic, Jammu Rural, Farooq Qaiser said that due to fresh snowfall and rainfall at Pir Ki Gali, Mughal Road stands closed for all types of vehicular movement till further notice.

Commuters have been advised to refrain from travelling on this route and the status of the road will be communicated once the road is declared safe and reopened for traffic, he said.