SRINAGAR: The Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rain and snowfall in most parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, with some higher reaches in North and Central Kashmir likely to receive moderate to heavy snowfall.
Director MET Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that weather conditions are expected to remain dry from March 4 to 9. However, a fresh spell of rain and snow is likely between March 10 and 12.
The department has issued an advisory, warning of moderate to heavy snowfall over isolated higher reaches, with a possibility of landslides, rockfalls, shooting stones, and mudslides at vulnerable locations. Tourists, travellers, and transporters have been urged to follow official advisories. Farmers have been advised to suspend irrigation and other agricultural activities until March 4, while the general public has been cautioned against visiting avalanche-prone and steep areas.
The recent rainfall and snowfall have eased concerns over a prolonged dry spell, which had raised fears of drought in the region. Water levels in rivers, streams, lakes, and springs have improved, with some perennial springs that had dried up during the 50-day dry spell in January and February beginning to flow again.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 4.9°C on Monday, while Gulmarg registered -4.3°C and Pahalgam -0.8°C. In Jammu, the minimum temperature stood at 12.4°C, with Katra at 7.8°C, Batote at 4.7°C, Banihal at 3.6°C, and Bhaderwah at 3.4°C.
