MeT forecasts rains, snowfall till Monday in JK

Srinagar, Nov 5: Weather department on Saturday forecast widespread rain and snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir for next 2 days. While the temperature is expected to fall significantly, the MeT department also forecast heavy snowfall of 2-3 feet over higher reaches on November 6 and 7.
On November 6 and 7, a meteorological department official said that moderate rain and snow (over higher reaches) was very likely to occur at most places of J&K. “Plains of Kashmir, mainly South, likely to receive (2-3) inches of snowfall during 6-7th,” he said, adding, “Heavy Snowfall (2-3feet) is very likely over higher reaches.”
Regarding probable impacts, he said, snowfall and low temperature may lead to temporary disruption of surface transportation, mainly over Zojila, Jammu-Srinagar Highway, Sinthantop, Mugal road etc. during November 6-7. He said that snowfall may damage orchards.
The MeT department also issued an advisory, urging people to confirm status of the roads prior to embarking journey to avoid inconveniences.
Farmers have been advised to harvest agriculture and horticulture produces which are vulnerable to snowfall and low temperature.
Meanwhile, he said, Srinagar recorded a low of 5.6°C against 5.0°C on the previous night. The temperature was 3.1°C above normal for the summer capital during this time of the year, he said.
Qazigund recorded a low of 4.6°C against 3.6°C on the previous night. The temperature was 2.1°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he told GNS.
In Pahalgam, the mercury settled at 2.0°C against 1.3°C on the previous night and it was 2.2°C above normal for the south Kashmir resort, he said.
Kokernag recorded a low of 6.3°C against 4.6°C on the previous night and it was 2.5°C above normal for the place, he said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of 0.5°C, the same as on the previous night and it was 1.2°C below normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at 4.5°C against 4.6°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 2.6°C above normal for the north Kashmir place, he said.
Jammu recorded a low of 16.4°C against 15.8°C on the previous night. It was 1.0°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal recorded a low of 5.8°C (above normal by 1.2°C), Batote 9.5°C (2.0°C above normal), Katra 14.7°C (above normal by 2.1°C) and Bhadarwah 7.2°C (above normal 2.7°C). (GNS)