Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 25: Parts of Kashmir valley experienced light rain and snowfall today, causing temperatures to drop further.
According to weather officials, Srinagar recorded 0.4 mm of rainfall and 0.5 cm of snow, while Qazigund received 4.6 mm of rain and 4 cm of snowfall. Pahalgam reported 0.6 mm of rain and 0.8 cm of snow, and Konibal saw 2 mm of rainfall.
Traces of rain were recorded at Srinagar Airport, Awantipora, and Kokernag, while Gulmarg, and Kupwara reported no precipitation.
The Meteorological Department has forecast a spell of moderate to heavy rain and snow accompanied by thunder and gusty winds from late night on January 26 to the evening of January 27.
MeT said that the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy until the evening of January 26, after which light to moderate rain or snowfall is likely at most places.
Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif Keng said heavy snowfall is possible between the night of January 26 and January 27, with peak activity expected on the 27.
He noted that the snowfall may also occur over most plains of Kashmir.
The department has warned that a few areas may witness moderate to heavy precipitation along with thunder and gusty winds during this period.
From January 28, light rain or snow is expected at a few places, while January 29 and 30 are likely to remain partly cloudy.
The forecast further indicates partly cloudy conditions with light rain or snow at isolated to scattered places on January 31 and February 1, followed by partly cloudy weather on February 2 and 3.
Meanwhile, cold wave conditions continued across Kashmir over the past 24 hours, with temperatures remaining significantly below normal in many areas.
Sonamarg recorded the lowest minimum temperature at minus 10.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Gulmarg at minus 10.2 degrees Celsius.
Other minimum temperatures recorded in the Kashmir division included Srinagar at minus 1.6 degrees, Qazigund at minus 3.1 degrees, Pahalgam at minus 6.2 degrees, Kupwara at minus 3.5 degrees, Kokernag at minus 5.0 degrees, Konibal at minus 1.8 degrees
The MeT department has issued an advisory warning of possible moderate to heavy rain or snowfall, thunder, lightning, and gusty winds, particularly between late night on January 26 and the evening of January 27.
The department cautioned that the weather may disrupt surface and air traffic and could trigger landslides, mudslides, and waterlogging in vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, train services in Kashmir continued to operate smoothly today, while air traffic at Srinagar Airport also functioned normally, except for a few flights to and from Srinagar that were cancelled due to a NOTAM in effect at Delhi Airport.
Regarding the restoration of power supply and road clearance, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, said that 95% of the power supply has been restored across the Valley.
“The total load in Kashmir is 1,700 MW, and after restoration works, it had reached 1,650 MW last night, indicating that 95% of areas have been restored,” he said.
Speaking about road clearance in remote areas, he added that heavy snowfall was recorded and that clearance operations are ongoing.
“We are ensuring that machinery reaches every spot. Priority 1 and Priority 2 roads have been cleared up to 80%. A few roads under PMGSY are still pending, and clearance work is in progress.”
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