Fresh snowfall blankets Kashmir’s higher reaches, rains in plains

Srinagar, Nov 11: Higher reaches of the Kashmir Valley received fresh snowfall while several areas in the plains witnessed rainfall on Wednesday as a weather system approached Jammu and Kashmir, with the Meteorological Department forecasting widespread precipitation over the next two days.
Fresh snowfall was reported from Peer Ki Gali along the Mughal Road and Gurez Valley, prompting authorities to suspend vehicular movement on the Mughal Road as a precautionary measure amid slippery road conditions.
The weather department has forecast light to moderate rainfall across most places in Jammu and Kashmir, while higher reaches are likely to receive light to moderate snowfall from November 12 to 13.
According to the forecast, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Poonch and adjoining areas, while higher reaches of Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal may receive moderate to heavy snowfall, particularly from the forenoon of November 12 till late night on November 13.
The department has also warned of possible thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds at isolated places during the period.
Director of the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said the main weather activity was expected to intensify from November 12 and continue till November 13, affecting both the plains and mountainous regions.
The department has predicted a significant fall of 6-8 degrees Celsius in daytime temperatures during November 12 and 13.
Meanwhile, maximum temperatures recorded on Wednesday remained above the seasonal average at several weather stations across the Kashmir Valley.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 19.2 degrees Celsius, which was 1.9 degrees above normal, while the minimum settled at 7.7 degrees Celsius, 5.8 degrees above the seasonal average.
Qazigund recorded a maximum of 19.8 degrees Celsius, 3.1 degrees above normal, while its minimum temperature settled at 6.1 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam recorded a maximum of 16.2 degrees Celsius against the normal of 14.5 degrees, while the minimum settled at 3.4 degrees Celsius, 4.4 degrees above normal.
In Kupwara, the maximum temperature settled at 18.6 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees above normal, while the minimum was recorded at 4 degrees Celsius.
Kokernag recorded a maximum of 18.1 degrees Celsius, 3.1 degrees above normal, and a minimum of 6.5 degrees Celsius.
Gulmarg, meanwhile, recorded the lowest maximum temperature in the Valley at 8.4 degrees Celsius, 1.5 degrees below normal. The minimum temperature there settled at 0.5 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu division, Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 27.8 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 16.5 degrees Celsius, while Katra recorded 25.5 degrees Celsius as its maximum and 15.8 degrees Celsius as the minimum.
Advising farmers to take precautionary measures, the Meteorological Department asked them to ensure safe storage of harvested crops during November 12 and 13 to prevent damage from rainfall.
It also cautioned that moderate to heavy snowfall in higher reaches could disrupt traffic on important mountain passes and hilly roads.
Tourists, travellers and transporters have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly and follow official traffic advisories before travelling to vulnerable areas.
The department has forecast generally dry weather from November 14 to 20, with the possibility of brief spells of light rain or snowfall at isolated places on November 14 and 15. (KNO)