The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday predicted largely dry weather across Jammu and Kashmir till February 8, with scattered light rain or snow at many places between February 9 and 10.
According to the IMD’s latest bulletin, accessed by the news agency, weather is expected to remain generally dry from February 4 to February 6 evening, though light snowfall may occur at isolated higher reaches during the night of February 6. Dry conditions are likely to continue till the evening of February 8.
The IMD said that from February 9 to 10, the Union Territory may witness light rain or snowfall at scattered to many places. “The weather will turn generally dry again on February 11, with the possibility of light snow at isolated higher reaches. Dry weather is likely to prevail from February 12 to 15.”
The IMD said no weather warning has been issued for either the Kashmir or Jammu divisions during the next seven days.Advising caution, the IMD asked travellers and transporters to confirm the status of roads and highways from the concerned traffic authorities and follow official advisories.
People living in snow-bound higher reaches have been advised not to venture into sloppy and avalanche-prone areas.
Meanwhile, the Kupwara district administration on Wednesday conducted an overnight rescue operation at Sadna Top after heavy snowfall stranded several vehicles on the high-altitude route, officials said.
The operation was launched late Tuesday night and continued into the early hours amid poor visibility and harsh weather conditions. Officials said at least 35 vehicles trapped due to heavy accumulation of snow were safely evacuated.
Snow clearance machinery and personnel were pressed into service to ensure the safety of stranded commuters and to prevent any medical or weather-related emergencies. Priority was given to vulnerable stretches of the road to facilitate movement.
Fresh snowfall had severely disrupted traffic at Sadna Top, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.
Officials said timely intervention helped prevent the situation from worsening and enabled partial restoration of traffic.
The administration has advised residents and travellers to avoid non-essential travel to high-altitude areas and to adhere to traffic advisories until weather conditions improve. Authorities said the situation is being closely monitored.(KNO)