Amid forecasts of widespread rain and snowfall over the next four days, several higher reaches of Kashmir, including the famous ski resort of Gulmarg, received fresh snowfall on Tuesday while plains received rains, officials said.
Some higher reaches of Kashmir valley and the ski resort of Gulmarg and Tangmarg in North Kashmir’s Baramulla experienced a fresh snowfall this afternoon turning the destinations into a winter wonderland.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday predicted that a fresh Western Disturbance (WD) is likely to bring moderate to widespread rain and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir over the next four days.
As of today evening, Srinagar and other low-lying areas continued to experience rain, impacting daily activities. The inclement weather is expected to persist.
Under the influence of WD weather system, widespread moderate rain or snow and thunderstorm is expected in most places of Jammu and Kashmir till February 28, the IMD said.
It said light to moderate rain/snow would first commence over places of North and central Kashmir on 25 February (evening/night) and thereafter gradually increase in intensity and distribution throughout J&K.
The system will most likely to cause moderate to heavy snow mainly in middle and upper reaches of Kashmir Division including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Baramulla, Bandipora, Gurez and Tulail Valley, Kupwara, Machil and Tangdhar Sector, Shopian, Pir Ki Gali, Qazigund-Ramban axis, Doda, Kishtwar and Pirpanjal Range of Jammu Division during the period.
There is a possibility of isolated heavy to very heavy snow over a few higher reaches of South Kashmir and Chenab valley on February 27 and 28.
The IMD has also issued an advisory stating that this weather system may lead to disruption of surface and air transportation like National Highway Srinagar-Jammu, Sadhna pass, Razdhan pass, Sonamarg-Zojila axis, Sinthan top & Mughal Road etc. All tourists/transporters & travellers are advised to plan their trip accordingly.
It has also warned that middle and higher reaches of Kashmir and Hilly area of Jammu most likely to receive moderate to heavy snowfall, while few higher reaches of South Kashmir and Chenab valley may receive heavy to very heavy snowfall particularly on February 27 and 28.
Farmers have been advised to suspend irrigation and other farm operations during the period.
There is a possibility of landslides/shooting stones/mudslides at vulnerable places also.
The day temperature is likely to witness significant fall due to the inclement weather in Jammu and Kashmir.
The night temperature increased at most weather stations of the Kashmir valley with Srinagar recording a minimum of 4.9°C and it was 3.1°C above the average for the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir during this period of the season.
The day temperature recorded in Srinagar on Monday at 18.0°C and this was 7.0°C above normal for the place.
The ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a low of -1.3°C and it was 4.3°C above normal while the tourist resort of Pahalgam had -0.3°C and it was 2.3°C above normal for the valley of shepherds in south Kashmir.