Intermittent snowfall, rains deepen chill across J&K

Srinagar, Apr 8: Fresh snowfall in upper reaches and rain in the plains on Wednesday brought back the chill, sending temperatures plummeting across Kashmir.
According to the details available, fresh snowfall was recorded in the higher altitudes of Gurez, Tulail and Razdan Top in North Kashmir, as well as Sonamarg and Gulmarg, while rain lashed the plains, including Srinagar and parts of north and south Kashmir.
The region continued to record below-normal temperatures, with Srinagar registering a maximum of 11.8°C, nearly 7°C below normal, while the minimum settled at 8.8°C, slightly above normal, according to the Meteorological Department.
Most stations, including Qazigund, Pahalgam, Kupwara and Gulmarg, also reported significant departures in day temperatures.
Light to moderate rainfall was recorded across parts of the Valley, with Gulmarg receiving 8.2 mm and Kupwara 5.8 mm in the last 24 hours.
Jammu recorded a maximum of 24.0°C, around 6°C below normal, with trace rainfall during the day but 42.1 mm in the preceding 24 hours. Relative humidity remained high across the region, touching up to 98 per cent in Kupwara.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Centre Srinagar said erratic weather conditions are likely to persist across Jammu and Kashmir till April 10, with generally cloudy skies and intermittent light to moderate rain and snowfall over higher reaches expected.
The MeT department said scattered areas may witness brief spells of light rain or thundershowers on April 9 and 10, while April 11 and 12 are likely to remain partly cloudy with light rain at isolated places.
Dry weather is expected from April 13 to 14, followed by generally cloudy conditions with light rain at a few places on April 15 and 16.
The department has issued an advisory warning of thunder, hailstorms and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph at isolated places, and the possibility of landslides in vulnerable areas.
Farmers have been advised to resume operations from Wednesday, while a gradual rise in day temperatures by 4-6 degrees Celsius is expected over the next few days. (KNO)