Snowfall in higher reaches, rains in plains cool Kashmir

Srinagar, Sep 17: Higher reaches of the Kashmir Valley on Thursday received fresh snowfall as widespread rain lashed parts of the Valley, with heavy showers witnessed in several parts of south Kashmir, bringing down temperatures, officials said.
According to reports, Srinagar received 8.2 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending 8:30 am, while Qazigund, Pahalgam, Kukernag and Gulmarg recorded 13.4 mm, 13 mm, 14.4 mm and 13.2 mm, respectively.
Kupwara received 4 mm of rainfall, while Banihal and Batote recorded 17.1 mm and 22.4 mm, respectively. Bhadarwah received 11.7 mm.
In the Jammu division, heavy rainfall was recorded at several places, with Jammu receiving 112.9 mm, Udhampur 117.8 mm and Katra 45.2 mm during the period.
Kabul Gali, situated at an altitude of around 4,167 metres, received light to moderate snowfall, covering the high-altitude pass and adjoining areas with fresh snow.
The pass connects the Tulail Valley in Gurez with the Mushkoh Valley towards the Drass sector.
Fresh snowfall was also reported from the higher reaches of Zojila Pass and Zero Point near Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, while the Apharwat Peak in Gulmarg also received the season’s first snowfall.
The rainfall and snowfall brought down temperatures across the region.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 23.2 degrees Celsius, which was 4.6 degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature was 13.4 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam recorded a maximum of 14 degrees Celsius, 9.9 degrees below normal, while its minimum temperature was 9.4 degrees Celsius.
Gulmarg recorded the lowest maximum temperature among the listed Valley stations at 11.2 degrees Celsius, 7.4 degrees below normal. Its minimum temperature was 5.8 degrees Celsius, which was 2.9 degrees below normal.
Qazigund recorded a maximum of 20 degrees Celsius, 6.5 degrees below normal, and a minimum of 12.4 degrees Celsius. Kupwara recorded 21.9 degrees Celsius as the maximum and 13.8 degrees Celsius as the minimum.
In Jammu, the maximum temperature settled at 31.4 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees below normal, while the minimum was 19.3 degrees Celsius, four degrees below normal.
The Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, has forecast generally dry weather from September 18 to 25, although brief spells of rain are possible at isolated places.
On September 26 and 27, partly to generally cloudy weather is expected, with brief spells of rain likely at a few places, while generally dry conditions are forecast from September 28 to 30.
The weather office has advised farmers to resume harvesting of apples and paddy, besides other agricultural operations, from September 18 as weather conditions are expected to improve.
For Thursday, the MeT Centre has forecast thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds at a few places, along with light snowfall over isolated higher reaches of north and central Kashmir.
Officials advised travellers heading towards higher reaches to exercise caution amid the changing weather conditions. (KNO)