Met predicts snowfall, admin issues avalanche warning for higher reaches
Srinagar, Nov 22: Srinagar, recorded the coldest night of the season so far after the mercury dipped and settled at minus 3 degree while world famous ski resort of Gulmarg shivered at minus 7.4 degree.
Meanwhile, a fresh weather warning has been issued for the next four days from Sunday in the valley, where heavy rain, snow and thundershowers would occur at isolated places while light snowfall could occur in scattered to fairly widespread areas till Wednesday.
“Light snowfall is also predicted at isolated places in Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan,” a weather department official added.
He said the weather will start to improve from Thursday onwards.
Srinagar recorded the coldest night of the season so far after the minimum temperature dipped and settled at minus 3 degree, which is about 3 degree below normal. People in the city could be seen using latest gadgets, besides traditional ‘Kangdi’ (firepot) to keep themselves warm.
Early in the morning, drivers and mechanics in the city had burned wood on the roadsides to keep warm. The city has not received snow so far this season as last week snow occurred only in the upper reaches in the valley. The weather remained chilly throughout the day due to cloudy skies, coupled with ice cold winds.
Even though the night temperature at Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, improved marginally from Saturday, it was still the coldest place in the region at minus 7.4 degree. The ski resort, which received fresh snowfall last week, has started to witness increase in the influx of tourists, particularly from other parts of the country. The skies in Gulmarg, which is known for its ski slopes and the quality of snow, were cloudy throughout the day, resulting in dip in the maximum temperature.
The mercury at world famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, dipped over 2 degree from Saturday and settled at minus 5.6 degree, which is over 3 degree below normal. People in the health resort, which also witnessed the season’s first snowfall last week, woke up to a chilly and cloudy Sunday morning. The damp weather continued throughout the day, resulting in dip in the maximum temperature.
The night temperature at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kokernag dipped and settled at minus 2.6 degree, minus 3.4 degree and minus 1.9 degree respectively.
Meanwhile, following adverse weather forecast in J&K on Monday and Tuesday, authorities on Sunday issued avalanche warning for higher reaches in the Kashmir division.
An official of the Disaster Management Department said medium danger avalanche warning will remain in force during the next few days in Kupwara district while low danger avalanche warning will remain in force in Baramulla, Anantnag, Kulgam, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts.
“People are advised to avoid unnecessary movement outside their homes till the warning remains in force,” the official said.
Avalanches in higher reaches of J&K have become a big threat for people, especially the security forces manning the Line of Control (LoC). (Additional input from Agencies)
