agency
Chandigarh: An avalanche warning was again issued today for higher areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, advising people not to venture into these places over the next 24 hours.
The advisory was issued by the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
‘Medium danger’ warning was issued for avalanche prone areas in Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipore, Kargil, Shopian, Anantnag, Kulgam, Rajouri, Doda and Poonch Districts the advisory said.
For Himachal Pradesh, it said ‘medium danger’ avalanche warning exists in areas of Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu, Chamba and Kinnaur Districts. Similar warning was issued for areas of Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Pithoragarh Districts in Uttarakhand.
Pharkian, Z-Gali, Kanzalwan, Banihal Top, Gulmarg, Haddan Taj and Neelam areas witnessed fresh snowfall of 39 cm, 8 cm, 5 cm, 10 cm, 10 cm, 38 cm, 33cm and 7 cm respectively during the last 24 hours.
In Himachal Pradesh, Dhundi, Patsio and Solang Nala had fresh snowfall of 53 cm, 12 cm and 10 cm while Bahang witnessed rainfall of 48.1 mm, respectively, it said. Rains continued to lash most parts of Kashmir for the third consecutive day today with Gulmarg ski resort witnessing intermittent snowfall bringing down the mercury.
Gulmarg, a major attraction for tourists visiting Kashmir during winter, received a mix of rain and snowfall through the day, an official of the MET Department said. Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded the highest rainfall at 8.9 mm, between 8.30 am to 5.30 pm on Sunday, he said. Srinagar recorded just 1 mm of rainfall during the corresponding period. The maximum temperature recorded in the city was 10 degrees Celsius, five degrees below normal for this time of the year, the official said. The minimum temperature was however two degrees above normal at 5.7 degrees Celsius. More rainfall is expected on Monday across Kashmir valley.
