Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 18: A fresh spell of rain and snowfall swept across Jammu and Kashmir today, dragging temperatures sharply below normal and reviving winter-like conditions across both the Jammu division and the Kashmir Valley. Continuous precipitation in the plains and heavy snowfall in the higher reaches disrupted daily life, affected traffic movement, and brought back an unusual mid-March chill across the region.
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In the Kashmir Valley, several higher reaches received fresh snowfall while rains lashed most plains, intensifying the chill across the region. Snowfall was reported from Pir Ki Gali along the Mughal Road in Shopian district and from Sonamarg, while plains including Srinagar were lashed by continuous rainfall throughout the day. The higher reaches of the Valley have been receiving intermittent snowfall since Sunday, leaving most mountains covered under layers of fresh snow.
Following the recent snowfall, tourists were seen flocking to Gulmarg, which has once again turned into a major attraction with its snow-covered slopes and scenic vistas. Officials said the prevailing cloudy conditions have resulted in colder days and relatively warmer nights, breaking the recent trend of unusually high temperatures in the Valley.
In the Jammu region, light to moderate rain was reported from the plains, while higher reaches across districts received fresh snowfall. Light rain also continued in Reasi district. In Ramban district, the Mahu area of Khari tehsil received around three to four inches of fresh snowfall. Despite the inclement weather, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained open for two-way traffic movement, while light rain continued to lash the Nashri-Banihal stretch till late evening.
In the upper reaches of Bani and Billawar, snowfall and rainfall led to the closure of the Bani-Sarthal road, causing inconvenience to daily commuters. Several link roads in the area were also blocked due to landslides and waterlogging. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) teams have been deployed and are actively working to clear the Sarthal road connecting to Bhaderwah.
Heavy snowfall was also reported in the upper reaches of Kishtwar district, including Sinthan Top, Marwah, Warwan, Padder, Dachhan and Bonjwah since midnight. Although the Kishtwar-Jammu highway remains open, vehicular movement towards Sinthan Top has been restricted as a precautionary measure.
In Doda district, fresh snowfall was recorded in Bhalesa and its adjoining areas, including Khalgussar, Manoo, Kutha, Haddal and Jatroon Top. The continuous precipitation has transformed the higher reaches into a snow-covered landscape, adding to the cold conditions.
At the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, both tracks leading to Bhawan remained open for pilgrims. However, chopper services and battery car services were suspended later in the afternoon due to continuous rainfall, causing inconvenience to visitors.
The wet weather has brought down temperatures across the Kashmir Valley, with Srinagar recording a maximum of 8.4°C, which is 7.6°C below normal. Other stations also recorded below-normal day temperatures, including Qazigund at 9.2°C (6.3°C below normal), Pahalgam at 7.6°C (5.3°C below normal), Kupwara at 9.2°C (7.0°C below normal), Kukernag at 9.2°C (5.9°C below normal), and Gulmarg at 1.0°C (4.8°C below normal).
In the Jammu division, the impact of continuous rainfall and snowfall was equally evident in the temperature profile. Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 20.2°C, which is 7.3°C below normal. Banihal registered 9.5°C (8.7°C below normal), Batote recorded 10.1°C (7.9°C below normal), Katra settled at 19.2°C (4.5°C below normal), and Bhaderwah recorded 10.2°C (9.7°C below normal). These substantial negative departures clearly reflect the cooling effect of the ongoing wet spell across the region.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast erratic weather conditions to persist till March 20, with intermittent light to moderate rain and snowfall expected at many places across J&K. A few higher reaches of the Doda Valley and south Kashmir may receive moderate to heavy snowfall.
The weather office has also warned of thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph at isolated places, along with the possibility of hailstorms, and has advised farmers to suspend agricultural operations during this period.
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