Snowfall blankets Kashmir’s higher reaches, temperatures dip

Srinagar, Nov 13: Fresh snowfall blanketed several higher reaches of Kashmir on Friday, with Sadhna Top and Razdan Pass receiving more than a foot of snow, while rainfall was reported from several parts of the Valley during the preceding 24 hours, bringing down temperatures and intensifying cold conditions across the region.
The fresh spell, triggered by a Western Disturbance, brought moderate to heavy snowfall to mountainous areas of north and central Kashmir, including Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts, while several tourist destinations also received fresh snow.
According to reports, Sadhna Top in Kupwara and Razdan Pass in Bandipora received more than a foot of snow during the past 24 hours, while Sinthan Top recorded around eight to ten inches of fresh accumulation.
Z-Gali and Margan Top received six to eight inches of snow each, while Zojila Pass recorded five to six inches and Pir Ki Gali received between five and eight inches.
Baltal in Ganderbal district witnessed four to six inches of snowfall, while Gurez Valley in Bandipora received three to five inches.
The famous tourist destination of Sonamarg received around two to three inches of fresh snowfall, while Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded around one centimetre of snow.
Fresh snowfall was also reported from the higher reaches of Pahalgam, Doodhpathri and several mountainous areas of south Kashmir, besides parts of Doda and Rajouri districts in the Jammu region.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Centre Srinagar reported significant rainfall in several parts of Kashmir during the preceding 24 hours, with Baramulla recording the highest precipitation at 49.5 mm, followed by Gulmarg at 40.6 mm and Kupwara at 37.3 mm.
The department said snowfall accumulation ranged between two and six inches at several higher-altitude locations, although some mountain passes received considerably heavier snowfall.
The wet spell also brought a noticeable decline in daytime temperatures across the Valley, with cold conditions prevailing in several districts.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 10.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday, which was 5.5 degrees below normal, while Gulmarg registered 4 degrees Celsius.
Kupwara recorded a maximum temperature of 8.4 degrees Celsius, while Qazigund registered 13 degrees Celsius and Pahalgam 10.4 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorological Department had earlier predicted a decline of six to eight degrees Celsius in daytime temperatures during November 12 and 13 under the influence of the Western Disturbance.
Director Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, had said the weather system was expected to bring widespread precipitation across Jammu and Kashmir, with moderate to heavy snowfall in higher reaches, particularly in the mountainous areas of Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal.
He had also forecast snowfall at popular tourist destinations, including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam and Doodhpathri, besides several high-altitude areas.
The department had warned of thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds at isolated places during the wet spell.
According to the latest forecast issued by the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, a brief spell of light rainfall in the plains and light snowfall over higher reaches remains possible at scattered places during November 13 and 14.
However, the intensity of the prevailing weather system is expected to decrease gradually, with generally dry weather forecast across Jammu and Kashmir from November 15 to 21.
The department said cloudy conditions may develop around November 20 and 21, while generally dry weather is expected to continue from November 22 to 24.
The Meteorological Centre has also advised farmers to resume agricultural activities from November 15, taking into account the expected improvement in weather conditions.
The fresh snowfall has brought winter conditions to several higher-altitude areas of Kashmir, with mountain slopes receiving fresh snow as temperatures continue to fall.
While the higher reaches witnessed substantial snowfall, conditions in the plains varied, with rainfall reported from several areas during the weather system.
The latest forecast indicates that the current spell of precipitation is likely to weaken, paving the way for generally dry weather across the Valley from Sunday. (KNS)