Snowfall in hills, rains lash parts of J&K
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Jan 3: While Western Disturbances (WD) will continue to hit J&K till January 9, fresh snowfall and rain was witnessed in many parts of Kashmir valley and hilly areas of Jammu region today.
The Meteorological Department today issued a weather advisory after a forecast of widespread snowfall in Kashmir and many parts of Jammu region.
The Department said that there are chances of light snowfall at Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Kulgam and Shopian tonight. It was raining in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley while snowfall started in the hills this evening.
Gusty winds were blowing during the day bringing down the day temperatures and sending people indoors.
Authorities have closed Srinagar-Leh National Highway after snowfall in Zojila, Minimarg and Drass. The Border Roads Organization (BRO) has pressed men and machinery into service to clear the highway of snow.
According to the advisory, two successive Western Disturbances are most likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and adjoining areas from 3rd January (late night) to 9th January (forenoon).
It read that under the influence of these weather systems, widespread moderate rain and snow is expected in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
“Light rain or snow would commence at a few places of Kashmir from 3rd January evening and thereafter increase in intensity and distribution. Main activity of this system will be occurrence of moderate to heavy rain or snow, most likely during 5 and 8 January and gradual decrease thereafter”, read the advisory.
It further revealed that the system is likely to cause heavy rain or snow mainly in Pirpanjal Range of Jammu Division (from Bhaderwah to Banihal), upper reaches of Kashmir (Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Baramulla and Kupwara) and Drass sub-division of Ladakh UT.
It said that this may lead to disruption of surface and air traffic including closure of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, Srinagar-Leh National Highway (Zojila Pass), Leh-Manali Highway, Mughal Road and Sadhna Pass.
It also said that there are chances of snow avalanches and landslides in vulnerable areas, disruption of power supply in hilly areas, water logging in low lying areas and further dip in day temperatures.
The MeT department also asked the people in snow bound areas to avoid venturing into sloppy areas during heavy snow and maintain proper ventilation.
Reports said that several parts of Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Reasi and Poonch experienced rain and light snowfall this evening while there was further drop in temperature in Jammu and other areas of the region.
Due to bad weather, the chopper service to Mata Vashnodevi shrine was also affected during the day today while vehicular traffic was operational on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway till late this evening besides Batote-Doda-Kishtwar section of the highway.
The Jammu city today recorded a minimum temperature of 7.7 degree Celsius temperature while, it was 0.7 deg C at Bhaderwah and 7.8 deg C at holy township of Katra.
Leh today recorded a minimum temperature of -9.1 deg C, Kargil -10.2 deg C, Pahalgam in Kashmir -3 deg C while famous tourist resort Gulmarg had -5.8 degree C temperature today.
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