Raj Syed Rather
Srinagar, Apr 19 : Several parts of Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall while the plains received rains on Wednesday, bringing down the temperature in the Valley. The weatherman, however, has predicted gradual improvement in the weather conditions from tonight, saying that there is no forecast of any major wet spell in the next few days.
Reports reaching the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), light snowfall was received at several places across Kashmir, which include Gurez valley, Tulail valley, Zojila, Machil sector, Sadhna Top, higher reaches of Karnah valley, Margan Top, Sinthan Top, Mughal Road, Afarwat mountains and adjoining areas of Gulmarg.
However, the intermittent rainfall continued to lash the plains of Kashmir for the third straight day here, bringing down the mercury in Jammu & Kashmir parts.
The intermittent rains also caused inundation of the roads, streets, and lanes, leading to the hardships to the commuters and pedestrians, especially shoppers, who were out to buy essentials, clothes, and food stuff for the holy festival, Eid-ul-Fitr.
Deputy Director, Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told KNO that the weather conditions would improve gradually from tonight. “There is no forecast of any major wet spell in the next few days, but on April 21 evening, the possibility of light rains cannot be ruled out,” he said.
He added that some of the areas in the northern district of Kashmir would also receive light rainfall tonight.
Moreover, the intermittent rainfall led to the increase in the water level at Vishow Nallah in Kulgam where the water was flowing 0.5 meter below the danger mark at 6 PM, reports said.
The water level in river Jhelum also increased amid the intermittent rainfall since Sunday afternoon. Reports said that water level at Ram Munshi Bagh was 4 feet below the flood alarm level.
Earlier in the day, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Er Naresh Kumar said that there is no alarming situation in the Valley as of now.
“The alert level at Sangam is well below the danger mark and the same is in Ram Munshi Bagh. There is no alarming flood like situation as of now and people also need not to panic,” he said.
The fresh wet spell also led to the closure of Mughal Road, Bandipora-Gurez Road and Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri Road here. “The vehicular movement along Bandipora-Gurez road, Mughal Road and SSG has been closed as precautionary measure,” the officials said.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) issued an avalanche warning to six districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to a communiqué, JKDMA said an avalanche with low danger level is likely to occur above 3000 to 3500 metres above sea level in Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban and Baramulla districts.
The communiqué also reads that an avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 2800 metres in Ganderbal district in the next 24 hours.
“People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas till further orders,” it said—(KNO)
