Rare snowfall in upper reaches, rains lash Kashmir plains

Srinagar, May 21: Upper reaches of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, Drass and Zojila areas witnessed fresh snowfall on Thursday.
According to reports, moderate to heavy rainfall lashed several parts of the Valley, disrupting normal life and causing damage to property.
A MeT official said that the snowfall in the remote Tulail Valley near the Line of Control followed a sharp overnight drop in temperatures, covering mountain slopes and residential areas. Similar conditions were reported in Drass and along the Zojila axis. Locals termed the snowfall unusual in the second half of May.
Meanwhile, heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms affected districts including Srinagar, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Baramulla and Kupwara. While the showers brought relief from rising temperatures, they also led to waterlogging and temporary disruptions.
In Bandipora, heavy rainfall created flood like situation near Darul Uloom Rahimiya along the Srinagar-Bandipora road, with water and mud entering residential areas and damaging houses.
Two houses belonging to Nazir Ahmad Dar and Reyaz Ahmad Dar of Nusoo village were partially damaged. Two persons, including a minor girl identified as Muskaan, sustained minor injuries. One was discharged after treatment, while the other was undergoing treatment at District Hospital Bandipora.
Residents claimed the flooding was caused by blocked drainage and leaking pipes. “Our repeated requests to authorities for clearance went unaddressed,” they said, adding, “A drain under construction had been reduced in size, leading to overflow during heavy rain.”
The affected families demanded compensation and urgent repairs, including restoration of the damaged road and strengthening of protection works.
Officials said restoration teams had been deployed, with Tehsildar Bandipora visiting the site to assess the situation.
Rainwater also accumulated in low-lying areas of Srinagar and other towns, briefly affecting vehicular movement. Authorities have advised residents in flood-prone and vulnerable areas to remain cautious.
The Meteorological Department has predicted light rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds across several parts over the next two days, while warning of possible lightning and hailstorm activity in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
According to the MeT department, the weather is expected to remain partly to generally cloudy on May 22, with one or two spells of light rain, thundershower and gusty winds at many places.
The department said there is a possibility of thunder, lightning, hailstorm and gusty winds with speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting to more than 60 kmph, at a few places in the Kashmir and Jammu divisions during the period.
From May 23 to 25, the weather is likely to remain mainly dry during the forenoon, with brief showers expected at isolated to scattered places towards late afternoon hours, it said.
The MeT department has forecast generally hot and dry weather from May 26 to 28, while partly to generally cloudy conditions with light rain or thundershower at isolated places are expected between May 29 and 31.
Officials also warned of hot and humid conditions at a few places in the Jammu division on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, several places in Kashmir recorded rainfall during the past 24 hours. Pahalgam received 14.2 mm rainfall, Gulmarg 13.4 mm, Kupwara 11.4 mm, Qazigund 6.8 mm and Srinagar 5.4 mm, according to the MeT data.
Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 41.5 degrees Celsius, over three degrees above normal, while Srinagar settled at 23.9 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, more than 69 livestock animals were killed after lightning struck a pasture in the Pahalgam area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district during heavy rain and thunderstorm.
According to officials, a herd of sheep and goats was caught in the open when lightning hit the area amid intense weather activity.
At least 69 livestock animals perished in the incident, the officials said. The sudden loss has caused concern among local herders, as livestock rearing remains a major source of livelihood in the area. (KNO)