Srinagar , Mar 12: In the last 48 hours in Kashmir Valley, fresh snowfall was witnessed in the upper areas including popular tourist destinations Gulmarg and Pahalgam and torrential rains in the plains have continued intermittently, which has again added to the cold.
Meanwhile, according to the forecast of the Meteorological Department, the weather in Kashmir Valley is likely to remain bad till March 16. A spokesman for the MeT department said that the weather in Kashmir Valley could remain bad till March 16.
Although the rains were witnessed in almost all the plain areas of Kashmir but the snowfall was witnessed in most parts of North Kashmir including Gulmarg and Kupwara.
Even the famous tourist destination South Kashmir’s Pahalgam in Anantnag district witnessed snowfall even as persistent rains added to the cold weather conditions on Friday.
A MeT department official told that Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort, received 45 centimetres fresh snowfall in last 24 hours. In past 5 days, the famed tourist destination in north Kashmir received 105.1cm of snow. It recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.0°C against minus 3.2°C on the previous night, the official said.
While as Central Kashmir’s Srinagar received 27.2mm of fresh rain during the 24 hours even as it recorded a low of 2.2°C against 3.7°C on the previous night. The temperature was minus 1.5°C above normal for this time of the year in this summer capital.
Meanwhile South Kashmir’s Qazigund recorded a low of 3.0°C against 5.7°C on the previous night and received 28.8mm of rain during the time. The mercury settled at o.3°C against 1.6°C on the earlier night at Pahalgam while the famous resort received 35.9mm rain and 1cm snowfall.
South Kashmir’s Kokernag recorded a low of 3.0°C against 4.3°C on the previous night while it received 16.4mm rain.
The minimum temperature settled at minus 0.7°C in Kupwara against 2.6°C on the previous night while the north Kashmir district received 66mm rain including 3cm snowfall, the official said. Some areas in the district received major snowfall with Sadnatop recording 2.6ft, Machil 1.9ft and Keran 2.6ft.
The weatherman has forecast erratic weather with rain with thunderstorm in plains and snow over higher reaches in the Valley till March 15.
Sonam Lotus Director Meteorological department said that widespread moderate to isolated heavy rain/snow (is expected) in Kashmir, scattered light rain (in) plains of Jammu and widespread moderate to heavy shower in Poonch and Rajourim.
“Current weather is likely to persist during day time. Expect gradual improvement from evening, thunderstorm with rain is most likely at some places of South Kashmir, hilly areas of Jammu region” He added.
The weatherman also issued a warning, asking concerned to remain alert for landslide and avalanche in vulnerable spots as land is fully saturated.
