Srinagar: Valley’s upper reaches on Monday received fresh snowfall while rains continued in plains dipping the day temperature sharply, even as the weather department has forecast more downpour on Tuesday.
“Widespread moderate rain /snow is most likely to continue till tomorrow (March 24). Heavy to very heavy rain /snow is most likely at scattered places of JK,” Director Meteorological department Sonam Lotus said.
He urged people to remain alert and cautious against “possible” thunderstorms and lightning.
“Please don’t sit under trees, iron poles etc,” he said and also urged people to be wary of avalanches and flash floods or mudslides. Lotus also said there could be waterlogging in low lying areas.
A meteorological department official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 7.4 degree Celsius same as on the previous night while the capital received 9.4mm of rain in the last 24 hours.
Qazigund received 6.1mm of rain and recorded a low of 7.3 degree Celsius against 5.7 degree Celsius on the previous night while mercury settled at 4.3 degree Celsius against 0.1 degree Celsius on the earlier night at Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir which received 12.4mm of rain during the time.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 5.7 degree Celsius against previous night’s 6.0 degree Celsius while it received 8.8mm of rain, the official said.
The minimum temperature settled at 4.8 degree Celsius in Kupwara against 5.3 degree Celsius on the previous night, the official said. The north Kashmir district received highest rainfall of 20.6mm during the time, the official said.
Gulmarg recorded minimum temperature of minus 0.5 degree Celsius against 2.0 degree Celsius on the previous night, the official said. It received rain or snow equivalent to 16mm.
Highway Closed For Traffic
Meanwhile Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of India, has been closed and shall remain shut on Tuesday, officials said on Monday.
They said that the thoroughfare was blocked for traffic movement at Panthayal and no vehicular movement allowed shall be allowed on March 23 in view of the forecast by the weatherman.
“Tomorrow (23-03-2021), no vehicular movement shall be allowed from either side on Jammu-Srinagar highway in view of inclement weather prediction issued by MeT department for next few days,” a traffic department official said. He said that there was possibility of landslides and shooting stones at several places amid continuous rainfall along the highway.
The official said that Mughal road, connecting Poonch and Shopian districts continue to remain closed due to snow accumulation.
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