Owais Gul
Srinagar, Oct 2: Under the influence of a strong western disturbance, Jammu and Kashmir is likely to receive a three-day wet spell from Saturday evening, while the higher reaches of the region are expected to experience the season’s first snowfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather advisory, forecasting a strong western disturbance, expected to impact Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining areas from October 4 (Saturday).
The Meteorological Centre in Rambagh, Srinagar, in its advisory, said the system is likely to bring widespread light to moderate rainfall and snowfall, particularly over the higher reaches of the Union Territory.
The peak of this weather activity is expected between the night of October 5 and the morning of October 7, the advisory reads.
Under the influence of this active weather system, moderate to heavy snowfall is likely in several high-altitude regions, including Anantnag-Pahalgam, Kulgam, Sinthan Pass, Shopian, Pir Ki Gali, Sonamarg-Zojila, Bandipora-Razdan Pass, Gulmarg, and the Kupwara-Sadhna Pass. Middle-altitude areas may experience light snowfall, while the plains of Kashmir are expected to receive moderate to heavy rain.
In the Jammu division, isolated locations are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms, and strong winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, with gusts of up to 70 kilometres per hour.
The IMD has warned that adverse weather conditions could lead to significant disruptions in surface transport, particularly along key routes such as the Jammu-Srinagar and Srinagar-Leh National Highways, as well as other roads in the middle and higher reaches.
There is also a possibility of moderate to severe thunderstorms and lightning, which may be accompanied by strong gusty winds at multiple locations.
The probable impacts also include the possibility of landslides, mudslides and shooting stones in vulnerable areas.
The advisory has urged farmers across the region to suspend all farming operations between October 5 and 7 to prevent potential damage to crops and equipment.
With heavy rainfall expected over a short duration, authorities anticipate a rise in water levels in rivers, local streams and nallas, which could lead to waterlogging in low-lying areas.
