Srinagar- Many areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall, while the plains were lashed by rains, officials said on Wednesday.
The recent snowfall marks a significant shift from the snow drought experienced earlier this winter, which had raised concerns about the local ecology and livelihoods. This climatic turnaround across parts of Jammu and Kashmir has infused a wave of optimism among farmers, fruit growers, and the tourism industry.
The tourist resorts of Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam received fresh light to moderate snowfall overnight, which was going on when last reports came in, officials said. They said the snowfall was also recorded in Anantnag district’s Kokernag, Handwara in Kupwara, and Gurez in Bandipora district.
There are reports of fresh snowfall in other areas in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, including along the Zojila axis on the Srinagar-Leh highway, the officials added.
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar on Wednesday forecasted chances of snowfall in central Kashmir’s plains and over a couple of lower reaches in North, Northwestern and South Kashmir region during Wednesday tonight and Thursday early morning.
An official from the MeT Department in the latest weather advisory predicted the likely chances of snowfall – with a depth of 2-4 inches, in Central Kashmir’s plains, which includes Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts – on Wednesday night and tomorrow morning.
The weatherman also said that 6-8 inches of snowfall might occur over a few lower reaches and plains of the North, Northwestern and South Kashmir region during the period.
Besides, the MeT Department also expected the possibility of light to moderate rain or snow at many places of J&K towards the late afternoon or evening onwards till morning/forenoon of Ist February, with chances of heavy snowfall over a few higher reaches of the North, Northwestern and South Kashmir during 3Ist Jan to Ist February.While the weatherman also anticipated light snow or rain over higher reaches of J&K from 2nd to 4th February, the ensuing period till 12th February has been predicted to remain “generally dry”.
The weather would remain mainly dry with a possibility of very light snow at isolated higher reaches on February 2.
From February 3 to 4, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain or snow in several places, following which the weather would remain dry till February 10.
The 40-day harsh winter period known as ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’ ended on Tuesday with no snowfall in the plains of Kashmir and below-normal precipitation in the higher reaches of the valley.
While there was light to moderate snowfall in the higher reaches of the valley at the fag-end of the 40-day period, most of the Chilla-i-Kalan — when the chances of snowfall are maximum and most frequent — remained dry.
The valley witnessed a prolonged dry spell this winter, with no snowfall in the plains.
Meanwhile, there was an improvement in the night temperature across the Kashmir valley.
Srinagar city recorded a low of 2.2 degrees Celsius up from 0.8 degrees Celsius on the previous night.
Pahalgam recorded a minimum temperature of 0.1 degrees Celsius, Qazigund 0.4 degrees Celsius, Kokernag minus 0.2 degrees Celsius and Kupwara 1.3 degrees Celsius.
Gulmarg registered a low of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius up from minus 6 degrees Celsius and was the coldest place in the valley.
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