SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: The Meteorological Department Srinagar (MeT) on Tuesday issued an advisory in view of heavy snowfall forecast in Jammu and Kashmir, cautioning about the disruption of surface and air transport to the Valley.
As per the advisory issued by Director MeT Office Srinagar, an active western disturbance will most likely affect J&K and adjoining areas from 29th evening/night onwards.
Under the influence of this system, it said widespread moderate rain and snow is expected in Jammu and Kashmir from 29th night/early morning of March 1 till the afternoon of March 3 with its peak activity on March 2.
“The above system is most likely to cause heavy to very heavy rain/snow over Pirpanjal Range of Jammu division and middle and higher reaches of Kashmir Division (Anantnag-Pahalgam, Kulgam, Sinthan Pass, Shupiyan-Pir Ki Gali, Sonamarg-Zojila, Bandipora-Razdan Pass, Gulmarg and Kupwara-Sachna Pass),” read the advisory.
The weather activity may lead to disruption of surface and air transport including Jammu-Srinagar national highway and other major roads of middle & higher reaches of J&K.
It asked the people in snow bound areas to avoid venturing into sloppy and avalanche prone areas. “Chances of landslides, mudslides and shooting stones most likely over the vulnerable areas. Farmers are advised to withhold all farm operations during 1st week of March,” it added.
Rains and snow lashed the Kashmir Valley with the tourist resort of Pahalgam receiving nearly 3 inches of snowfall, officials said.
Meanwhile, Met official here said amid cloud cover, there was also increase in night temperature across Jammu and Kashmir. He said Srinagar received 2.6mm of rain since overnight till 0830 hours and recorded a minimum of 1.0°C against previous night’s minus 2.0°C. It was below normal by 0.5°C for the summer capital of J&K for this time of the year. Gulmarg received 4.0 cms of snow and recorded a low of minus 6.4°C against minus 9.0°C on the previous night. The temperature was below normal by 0.6°C for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir. Pahalgam received 7.4cms of snow and recorded a low of minus 1.3°C against minus 7.0°C on the previous night and it was 2.2°C above normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.
Qazigund received 0.4mm of rain and recorded a minimum of 1.2°C against minus 2.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.8°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said. Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, received 0.6mm of rain and recorded a minimum of minus 0.3°C against minus 2.8°C on the previous night and the temperature was below normal by 0.4°C for the place, the official said. Kupwara town received 1.0mm of rain and recorded a low of 0.4°C against minus 3.5°C on the previous night and it was 3.5°C below normal there, the official said.