JK to witness widespread rains, snow on weekend
Night Temperature continues to slide across Kashmir
Srinagar: The weatherman on Wednesday issued an advisory regarding widespread rain and snow, warning about possibility temporary disruption of air and surface traffic as well as damage to horticultural crops in Jammu and Kashmir from evening of 22nd to 24 October.
“An active Western Disturbance will most likely to affect J&K and adjoining areas from 22nd October (evening) to 24th October with peak activity on 23rd October,” reads an advisory send to divisional commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu respectively by Mukhtar Ahmad (Director/LACD MeT department) here .
“Under the influence of above system, widespread moderate rain/snow is expected in Jammu. Kashmir and light rain/snow at many places of Ladakh region during 22 to 24 October,” the advisory said, adding, “Possibility of light snow in plains, moderate snow in middle reaches and heavy snow at isolated places over higher reaches of Kashmir Division and moderate rain with thunder/ lightning and gusty winds (30-40 KMPH) in Jammu division is also expected.”
The system will most likely to cause heavy snow mainly in upper reaches of Kashmir (Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg (Zojila pass), Baramulla, Bandipora (Gurez & Tulial Valley), Kupwara (Machil and Karah Sector), Shopian, Qazigund-Banihal axis, Pirpanjal Range of Jammu Division, Drass (Gumri & Minamarg) and Zanskar subdivision of Ladakh.
Regarding probable impacts, the advisory says that weather system may lead to temporary disruption of air and surface traffic mainly on Jammu-Srinagar/Srinagar-Leh, Leh-Manali National Highway, Mughal road and other major hilly roads.
It said that landslides and shooting stones may occur in vulnerable spots of Jammu-Srinagar/Srinagar-Leh Highways.
There is possibility of electricity disruption and temporary water logging in low lying areas, it said. The weather system is also expected to damage to horticultural crops and bring dip in day temperature.
Farmers have been advised to harvest their crops and fruits and carryout necessary pruning of trees also. Commuters have been advised to plan their journey according to weather advisory.
Meanwhile, night temperature continued to fall across Kashmir Valley with the world famous skiing resort of Gulmarg recording below normal temperature by minus 1.4°C, officials said.
Srinagar recorded minimum temperature of 6.3°C against 7.7°C on previous night, an official of the local MeT office here said.
Even though temperature is slight above normal for this time of the year, the fall is by more than four degrees than recorded only couple of days ago.
Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a low of 6.8°C against previous night’s 8.2°C, the official said.
Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 2.7°C against 4.8°C on previous night, he said.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 7.2°C against 7.2°C on previous night, the official said.
Kupwara town of the north Kashmir recorded a low 5.0°C against 6.4°C on the previous night, the official said.
Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 1.5°C against normal of 2.9°C for this time of the year, the official said. The temperature thus is below minus 1.4°C there, the official said.
The weatherman has forecast heavy spell of rains and snow from October 23-25 in Jammu and Kashmir.
“A fresh spell of widespread moderate rain/snow is most likely during 23rd October forenoon to 25th. Heavy rain/snow is very likely at many places of J&K mainly on October 23rd,” the official said.
Regarding impact, he said, there could damage to orchards and temporary disruption of major highways on hilly areas due to accumulation of snow and low temp. However the official said that forecast was based (October 19) conditions and “may change in terms of intensity and timing but a spell of rain will occur.” (with inputs from GNS)
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