Srinagar
The Meteorological Department on Monday has predicted another spell of snow and rainfall from Tuesday evening.
Sonam Lotus, Director of Meteorological Department, said, “A fresh spell of intermittent light to moderate rain in plains and snowfall in higher reaches of J&K and Zojila, Drass and some areas of Zanskar region of Ladakh is most likely during March 31 (night) to April 2 (forenoon). As usual, it may lead to landslides in Banihal-Ramban axis of Jammu -Srinagar National Highway.”
He also advised farmers and orchardists to put off spraying activities. “Thunderstorm, with strong gusty winds of the order of 30-40 KMPH, is also likely during the above period. In view of this, farmers are informed to postpone spraying of their orchards and prepare drainage to drain excess water from their fields,” said Lotus.
The highway, Valley’s only surface link to the rest of the country, has been witnessing frequent landslides for the past five months due to inclement weather, forcing the suspension of vehicular traffic.
Srinagar, the summer capital of the state recorded a low of 5.2 while the mercury in Qazigund in south Kashmir settled at a low of minus 4.7 degrees Celsius.
Leh town in Ladakh region was the coldest place where minimum temperature was minus 4.3 degrees Celsius while Kargil town recorded 0.8 degrees Celsius.
The famous ski-resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir was the coldest place in the region where minimum temperature was minus 2.4 degrees Celsius.
The temperature in Pahalgam the famous health resort which also serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra was 0.2 degrees Celsius.
Kokernag town recorded a low of 4.6 degrees Celsius while Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a low of 3.7 degrees Celsius last night.
Jammu city recorded 13.1 degrees Celsius, Katra town 12.2, Batote 8.1, Banihal 6.2, and Bhaderwah 4.2 as the minimum temperatures.
