Rains in Valley, light snowfall in hills

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 28: There was light rain in the Valley and light snowfall in the hills leading to drop in the temperatures with authorities issuing avalanche warning for the hills.
Kashmir valley had intermittent rains this afternoon with the hills experiencing light snowfall leading to drop in temperatures.
“Intermittent light to moderate snowfall/rain (thunderstorm with rain in Jammu region) is expected at most places of J&K with main activity on February 28th (evening)- March 1st,” a Meteorological department official said, adding, “Dry weather is expected during 3rd to 7th March.”
He said that the weather system may affect surface transportation over major passes like Srinagar-Jammu highway, Sinthan Top, Sadna Top etc, during March 1-2nd.
Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded a low of 4.0°C against 4.2°C the previous night and it was above normal by 2.5°C for the city.
Qazigund recorded a low of 1.8°C against 1.5°C the previous night and it was 1.4°C above normal for the town.
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 1.2°C against minus 0.9°C the previous night and it was 2.3°C above normal for the tourist resort.
Kokernag recorded a low of 3.0°C against 2.4°C the previous night and it was 2.9°C above normal for the place.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 3.0°C against minus 2.5°C the previous night and it was 2.8°C above normal for the skiing resort.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at 2.8°C against 3.1°C the previous night and it was 2.8°C above normal for the town.
Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 6.4°C and 5.2°C respectively.
While Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21 and a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that followed it have ended, Kashmir is under grip of 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bacha’ (baby cold) which ended today.
Authorities today issued a low danger level avalanche warning over the higher reaches of Ganderbal district.
Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) today issued a ‘low danger’ level avalanche warning over higher reaches of Ganderbal district for next 24 hours.
The avalanche is likely to occur in the areas 2500 metres above sea level in the district.
“People living in these areas have been advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas till further orders”.