Rains, snowfall in higher reaches of J&K, may continue today

Srinagar: Higher reaches of Kashmir Valley received fresh snowfall while rains lashed plain areas, weatherman said on Saturday.

An official from meteorological department said that Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir received rain or snow of 23.2mm in last 24 hours till 0830 hours. The resort, the venue for the ongoing second Khelo India Winter Games, also recorded a low of minus 2.2°C temperature against minus 0.8°C earlier night.

Reports about snowfall on other higher reaches were also received from other parts of the Valley.

The MeT official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 4.7°C against 8.0°C on the previous night. The temperature was 3.2 degrees Celsius above the normal for this time of the year in Srinagar where 9mm rainfall was recorded during the time, the official said.

Qazigund recorded a low of 2.2°C against 5.7°C on the previous night while it had 23.2mm of rainfall during the time. The mercury settled at 0.3°C in Pahalgam against 3.0°C on the earlier night while it recorded 18.5mm of rainfall during the time.

Kokernag recorded a low of 0.1°C against 5.2°C on the previous night and had a rainfall of 31.4mm.

The minimum temperature settled at 0.7°C in Kupwara against 4.4°C on the previous night and recorded rainfall of 45.4mm, highest anywhere during the time.

Sonam Lotus, Director Meteorological Department, said that intermittent light to moderate rain in plains and snow over higher reaches of J&K is most likely to continue today.

“There would be significant decrease in rain/snow from tomorrow onwards,” he said, adding, “Hilly areas may receive snowfall upto half ft.”

In a statement, the MeT office has forecast fresh isolated and scattered rains from March 3 onwards after dry weather for March 1 and 2. (GNS)