SRINAGAR: Amid forecast for major snowfall, night temperature recorded a drop in Kashmir Valley on Thursday.
The Meteorological Department (MeT) has issued an advisory cautioning about the disruption of surface and air transport in the valley as an active Western disturbance is expected to impact Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining areas from today evening/night onwards.
As a result of this system, widespread moderate rain, snow is anticipated in Jammu and Kashmir from the night of February 29th to early morning of March 1, continuing until the afternoon of March 3, with peak activity expected on March 2.
The advisory highlights that heavy to very heavy rain/snow is likely over the Pirpanjal Range of Jammu division and the middle and higher reaches of Kashmir Division (including Anantnag-Pahalgam, Kulgam, Sinthan Pass, Shupiyan-Pir Ki Gali, Sonamarg-Zojila, Bandipora-Razdan Pass, Gulmarg, and Kupwara-Sachna Pass).
This weather activity may result in the disruption of surface and air transport, including the Jammu-Srinagar highway and other major roads in the middle and higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir.
The advisory urges people in snowbound areas to refrain from venturing into sloppy and avalanche-prone areas. It also warns of the likelihood of landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones over vulnerable areas. Farmers are advised to postpone all farm operations during the 1st week of March.
Quoting a meteorological department official, GNS reported that Srinagar recorded a minimum of 2.1°C against previous night’s 4.5°C. It was below normal by 0.6°C for the summer capital of J&K for this time of the year, the MeT official said.
Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 1.0°C against 2.0°C on the previous night and it was 1.4°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 4.4°C against minus 2.4°C on the previous night and it was 0.9°C below normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus 0.4°C against 1.1°C on the previous night and the temperature was below normal by 1.7°C for the place, the official said.
Kupwara town recorded a low of minus 1.7°C against 1.0°C on the previous night and it was 1.7°C below normal there, the official said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 5.6°C , same as on the previous night. The temperature was below normal by 0.2°C for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir.
Jammu, he said, recorded a minimum of 9.5°C and it was below normal by 8.1°C for the winter capital of J&K.
Banihal recorded a low of 5.4°C, Batote 4.3°C and Bhaderwah 1.4°C, he said.
