Weather to continue remain wet till 25: MeT
Four highways closed, avalanche warning issued in six districts
Srinagar, Nov 23: Several plain areas of Kashmir received the season’s first snowfall on Monday, even as the higher reaches witnessed heavy precipitation. A MeT official said light to moderate snow with heavy falls at isolated places was reported from many areas of Kashmir, a few places of Jammu and Sonmarg Drass axis.
While there was heavy snowfall in upper reaches, the plains received light snowfall and rainfall.
Amid Snowfall Srinagar-Jammu NHW, Mughal road, Sonamarg-Leh highway and Gurez- Bandipora road were closed due to snowfall which affected the movement of vehicles.
Meanwhile, MeT department has predicted a three day wet spell till Thursday in Kashmir adding that higher reaches are expected to receive light to moderate snowfall while plains will receive a low intensity rainfall between 23th and 25th of November.
Deputy Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said “The weather in the valley will improve from 26th November but the mercury will take a dip after 27th November,” .
With the electric supply remaining as erratic as ever, the earthen fire-pot oven in a basket of willow wicker called the ”Kangri” continues to be the best bet for Kashmiris to keep their body and soul together during the Valley’s harsh winter months
The MeT office has issued an ‘Orange Colour’ weather warning for the higher reaches of J-K and Sonmarg -Zojila axis on the Srinagar-Leh road, asking the administration and people to be prepared and to maintain vigil.
The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg, in north Kashmir, recorded five inches of fresh snowfall during the night, while Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir, recorded 10 cm of snow, the official said.
He said most of the areas in the plains of the valley also received light snowfall — which is the season’s first.
It was still snowing, especially in the higher reaches, when the last reports came in and the weather system is likely to continue, he said.
Last week, an Indian Army soldier was killed after an avalanche hit a forward Army post in Kashmir’s Kupwara area November 17 amid heavy snowfall. Two other soldiers had suffered injuries after being hit by the avalanche.
Meanwhile, a ‘low danger’ avalanche warning has been issued for Anantnag, Baramulla, Kulgam, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts.
On November 16, ten civilians got trapped near Sinthan Pass going towards Chingam on the NH-244 in Jammu and Kashmir. They were rescued by a team of Army jawans and Jammu and Kashmir policemen. (KDC)
