JK braces up for another wet spell
Srinagar: The weatherman here has predicted a wet spell from tomorrow, saying that heavy to very heavy snowfall is expected in the middle and higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir from March 01 to March 03.
Director Meteorological department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that there is a possibility of light rain and snow at scattered places during tonight to 27th forenoon.
On February 28, the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy with light snow over isolated higher reaches while on February 29 amidst the partly to generally cloudy weather, there is a forecast of light rain and snow at scattered places.
However, he said there is a possibility of moderate rain and snow at most places with heavy to very heavy rain and snow at few middle & higher reaches during March 1st March late evening to 3rd March afternoon.
A few places may experience thunder, lightning, hailstorm accompanied by gusty winds during March 01 & March 02.
The weatherman also issued advisory in wake of the upcoming wet spell, saying that in view of heavy to very heavy snowfall over few middle & higher reaches, travellers and tourists are advised to plan accordingly & follow admin and traffic police advisory.
“General public over hilly areas are advised not to venture in Avalanche prone areas & sloppy areas. They should follow avalanche warnings & advisories,” the advisory reads.
Chances of landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at few places, it reads, adding that farmers are advised to withheld irrigation and other farm operations during 1st week of March.
Meanwhile, the night temperature recorded a fall at few places and slight rise at a few with Srinagar recording a minimum of minus 2.0°C against previous night’s 0.5°C. It was below normal by 2.0°C for the summer capital of J&K for this time of the year, the MeT official said.
Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 2.2°C against minus 1.6°C on the previous night and it was 2.6°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 7.0°C against minus 6.0°C on the previous night and it was 3.5°C below normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus 2.8°C against minus 3.8°C on the previous night and the temperature was below normal by 2.9°C for the place, the official said.
Kupwara town recorded a low of minus 3.5°C against minus 3.0°C on the previous night and it was 3.5°C below normal there, the official said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 9.0°C against minus 10.0°C on the previous night. The temperature was below normal by 3.2°C for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir.
Jammu, he said, recorded a minimum of 7.9°C and it was below normal by 3.7°C for the winter capital of J&K.
Banihal recorded a low of 1.8°C, Batote 2.1°C and Bhaderwah minus 0.44°C, he said.
While ‘Chillai-Kalan’, the 40-day harsh period of winter ended on January 29 and 20-day-long winter period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ ended on February 19, Kashmir is the middle 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which culminates on March 1. (with inputs from KNO/GNS)
