Srinagar: The meteorological department forecasted more rains in plains and snowfall over higher reaches until the end of April, amidst a drop in night temperatures across the Kashmir valley.
According to the MeT forecast: “Cloudy weather is expected with heavy rains, thunder, lightning, hailstorms, and gusty winds at most places in Kashmir till April 30th. Dry weather has been forecast from May 1st to the 5th.
In the last 24 hours until 8:30 am this morning, Srinagar received 30.6mm of rainfall, Qazigund 23.0mm, Pahalgam 18.6mm, Kupwara 30.8mm, Kokernag 16.4mm, Gulmarg 20.6mm, Jammu 0.3mm, Banihal 29.6mm, Batote 15.4mm, Katra 1.8mm, and Bhadarwah 30.7mm.
Meanwhile, the upper reaches of Kashmir, including Zojila, Sadhna Top, Razdan Pass, Dawar Gurez, Tulail Gurez, Machil, Kangdori, main Gulmarg, Sinthan Top, and Mughal Road, experienced fresh snowfall, bringing down the mercury across the Valley.
The MeT also issued an advisory asking farmers to suspend farm operations until 30th April.
Moreover, it stated: 'Temporary disruptions of traffic over higher reaches are expected, while waterlogging in low-lying areas is also possible.’
“There are possibilities of landslides and shooting stones due to an increase in the water level in the Jhelum River and its tributaries.”
Regarding the night temperature, the MeT said that Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 8.5°C, compared to 10.5°C on the previous night, which is 0.8°C above normal.
In South Kashmir, the gateway town of the valley, Qazigund, recorded a minimum of 7.4°C compared to 8.4°C on the previous night, below normal by 0.4°C.
The top tourist destination of Pahalgam recorded a low of 6.4°C against 6.3°C on the previous night, above normal by 2.0°C, and Kokernag recorded a minimum of 6.6°C compared to 7.9°C on the previous night, below normal by 1.5°C.
In North Kashmir, Gulmarg, the world’s famous skiing resort, recorded a low of 1.5°C against 2.4°C on the previous night, below normal by 2.7°C, while Kupwara logged a low of 6.3°C against 8.1°C on the previous night, below normal by 1.5°C.
Jammu recorded a minimum of 21.9°C against 19.3°C on the previous night and it was below normal by 2.4°C.
Pir Panchal’s Banihal recorded a low of 9.0°C, and Chenab valley’s Bhaderwah logged 8.3°C.