Srinagar- Higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall even as plains of the valley received rains that brought down the temperatures by several degrees, officials said here on Sunday.
Snowfall has been reported in all hilly and mountainous areas of Kashmir since Sunday morning, they said.
The plains of the valley, including Srinagar city, received light to moderate rains, they said.
The snowfall has closed several roads connecting the main valley to remote areas like Machil in Kupwara district, Gurez in Bandipora district and Sonamarg in Ganderbal district, officials said.
Mughal road connecting Shopian district of Kashmir to Rajouri-Poonch area of Jammu division has also closed due to snow.
The weather office has forecast moderate to heavy precipitation in the form of snow or rains across Kashmir Valley over the next three days.
Earlier, they issued a yellow warning for isolated heavy rain and snow over higher reaches and disruption of traffic on higher passes from February 18-20.
There are four types of colour codes signifying the level of caution: green which means no action, yellow—situation to be watched, orange–government agencies need to be prepared for severe weather and red –action needed by the agencies.
From February 19-20, he said, there is possibility of light to moderate rain and snow at most places (plains and lower reaches) with possibility of heavy snowfall over middle and higher reaches of Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Badgam, Shopian and Kulgam districts during late afternoon of February 19 to February 20 late night.
From February 21, he said, there is possibility of light to moderate snow at many places till afternoon and late afternoon and gradual improvement thereafter.
Regarding Jammu division, he said, there is a possibility of light rain and snow at many places on Sunday.
From 19th-20th Feb, there is a possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain with thunder/lightning in plains of Jammu Division with light to moderate snowfall over higher reaches and heavy snowfall over isolated higher reaches of Ramban, Poonch, Doda and Kishtwar.”
On February 21, he said, light to moderate snow/rain/thunder/lightning is expected over many places till late afternoon and evening and gradual improvement thereafter.
The MeT office also issued an advisory, saying that the system may lead to temporary closure of roads of higher reaches and important passes like Sinthan pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna, Razdan pass, Zojila etc.
“Travellers are advised to plan accordingly,” the MeT official said, adding, “farmers are advised to withhold irrigation and fertilizer application and drain out excess water from Orchards and fields during the above period.”
Avalanche Warning
Jammu and Kashmir State Disaster Management Authority (JK DMA) issued a low-danger level avalanche warning on Sunday for Anantnag and Kulgam districts of Jammu and Kashmir for the next 24 hours.
The warning said that the avalanche is likely above 2500 metres over the Anantnag and Kulgam districts.
JK DMA also issued a warning of an avalanche with a medium danger level over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban Bandipore, Baramulla, Kupwara and Ganderbal districts in the next 24 hours.
Taking to the micro-blogging site, X, JK DMA posted, “Avalanche with LOW Danger Level is likely to occur above 2500 metres over Anantnag & Kulgam districts in the next 24 hours. Avalanche with Medium Danger Level is likely to occur above 2200 metres over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, Bandipora, Kupwara and Ganderbal districts in next 24 hours.”
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