Weather to improve from Sunday afternoon; MeT Director
Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Dec 16 : The month-long dry spell in Kashmir came to an end on Saturday, as the higher reaches witnessed fresh snowfall, while the plains were lashed by rains. This precipitation resulted in a rise in the minimum temperature in most areas across the valley.
A Meteorological (MeT) Department official told Kashmir Despatch that several areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall on Saturday, while the plains witnessed moderate rains.
The official stated that until 7 PM, Gulmarg, the ski-resort in north Kashmir, had received 6 inches of fresh snowfall. He said light snowfall was also witnessed at other elevated areas including Tangdar, Keran, Tourist resort Sonamarg and also on the Zojila axis.
The officials said plain areas in Kashmir, including the summer capital Srinagar, received light rains which were going on at many places.
This is the first major wet spell during the current season in the state, the official said.
The official said that Mughal road, connecting Kashmir Valley’s Shopian district with twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch, was closed due to fresh snowfall on Saturday.
He said the health resort Pahalgam was coldest night at minus 5.1 degree Celsius on Friday.
The summer capital Srinagar shivered at minus 1.3 degree Celsius.
Qazigund, the gateway of Kashmir, also recorded a low of minus 3.8 degree Celsius.
Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, has recorded a low of minus 2.8 degree Celsius.
In Kupwara, the mercury settled at minus 1.0 degree Celsius while in Kokernag, a minimum temperature of minus 3.6 degree Celsius was recorded the official further added.
Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted snowfall in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Gurez valley, and along the Mughal road.
The minimum temperature is expected to rise marginally due to a weak western disturbance until Sunday afternoon. However, after that, the night temperature is projected to decrease again by 1-3 degrees. The presence of cloud cover in various regions has led to improved cold wave conditions. In particular, several areas in the South Kashmir region have experienced a noticeable drop in temperature according to the IMD’s forecast.
Speaking to Kashmir Dispatch, Director of the Meteorological Department in Srinagar, Mukhtar Ahmad, said that the weather will improve from Sunday afternoon onwards.
He stated that there are chances of dry weather until 24 December.
Furthermore, he mentioned that after the 24th, there is another prediction indicating the possibility of light snowfall in the upper reaches of Kashmir.
The Director of the Meteorological Department clarified that, however, there is no major development expected in terms of heavy snowfall or heavy rains during this period.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
