SRINAGAR: Amid forecast of moderate to heavy rain and snowfall, the night temperature witnessed an increase across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, except in Gulmarg where the mercury remained below zero.
According to a meteorological department official, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 4.5°C, compared to the previous night’s 2.1°C. This reading was 3.0°C below the normal temperature for this time of year in the summer capital of JK, the official added
Qazigund recorded a minimum of 2.4°C against minus 1.0°C on the previous night and it was 2.0°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.
Pahalgam recorded a low of 1.3°C against minus 4.4°C on the previous night and it was 2.0°C above normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 2.3°C against minus 0.4°C on the previous night and the temperature was above normal by minus 0.4°C for the place, the official said.
Kupwara town recorded a low of minus 2.3°C against 1.7°C on the previous night and it was 1.3°C below normal there, the official said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 3.6°C and minus 5.6°C on the previous night. The temperature was above normal by 2.6°C for the world-famous skiing resort in north Kashmir.
Jammu, he said, recorded a minimum of 14.3°C and it was above normal by 2.7°C for the winter capital of JK.
Banihal recorded a low of 6.6°C, Batote 8.4°C and Bhaderwah 6.8°C, he said.
MeT has also issued an advisory cautioning about the disruption of surface and air transport in the valley.
It said widespread moderate to heavy rain/snow is expected in Jammu and Kashmir till the afternoon of March 3 with its peak activity on March 2.
“The above system is most likely to cause heavy to very heavy rain/snow over Pirpanjal Range of Jammu division and middle & higher reaches of Kashmir Division (Anantnag-Pahalgam, Kulgam, Sinthan Pass, Shupiyan-Pir Ki Gali, Sonamarg-Zojila, Bandipora-Razdan Pass, Gulmarg and Kupwara-Sachna Pass),” read the advisory.
The weather activity may lead to disruption of surface and air transport including Jammu-Srinagar highway and other major roads of middle and higher reaches of JK.
It urged the people in snow bound areas to avoid venturing into sloppy and Avalanche prone areas.
“Chances of landslides, mudslides & shooting stones most likely over the vulnerable areas,” it said, adding, “Farmers are advised to withhold all farm operations during 1st week of March.”
