Srinagar- An active Western disturbance was most likely to affect J&K and adjoining areas from Thursday evening/night onwards, meteorological department said during the day.
Under the influence of this system, it said, widespread moderate rain/snow is expected in Jammu and Kashmir from February 29th night/early morning of March 1 till the afternoon of March 3 with its peak activity on March 2.
“The above system is most likely to cause heavy to very heavy rain/snow over Pirpanjal Range of Jammu division and middle & higher reaches of Kashmir Division (Anantnag-Pahalgam, Kulgam, Sinthan Pass, Shupiyan-Pir Ki Gali, Sonamarg-Zojila, Bandipora-Razdan Pass, Gulmarg and Kupwara-Sachna Pass),” read the advisory.
The weather activity may lead to disruption of surface and air transport including Jammu-Srinagar highway and other major roads of middle and higher reaches of J&K.
It urged the people in snow bound areas to avoid venturing into sloppy and Avalanche prone areas.
“Chances of landslides, mudslides & shooting stones most likely over the vulnerable areas,” it said, adding, “Farmers are advised to withhold all farm operations during 1st week of March.”
Amid forecast for major snowfall, the night temperature recorded a drop in Kashmir Valley on Thursday, officials said.
Quoting a meteorological department official, news agency GNS reported that Srinagar recorded a minimum of 2.1°C against previous night’s 4.5°C. It was below normal by 0.6°C for the summer capital of J&K for this time of the year, the MeT official said.
Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 1.0°C against 2.0°C on the previous night and it was 1.4°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 4.4°C against minus 2.4°C on the previous night and it was 0.9°C below normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus 0.4°C against 1.1°C on the previous night and the temperature was below normal by 1.7°C for the place, the official said.
Kupwara town recorded a low of minus 1.7°C against 1.0°C on the previous night and it was 1.7°C below normal there, the official said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 5.6°C , same as on the previous night. The temperature was below normal by 0.2°C for the famous skiing resort in north Kashmir.
Jammu, he said, recorded a minimum of 9.5°C and it was below normal by 8.1°C for the winter capital of J&K.
Banihal recorded a low of 5.4°C, Batote 4.3°C and Bhaderwah 1.4°C, he said.
MeT has also issued an advisory cautioning about the disruption of surface and air transport in the valley.
Winter Vacation Extended
Authorities in Kashmir Thursday extended the winter vacation for valley schools by four days in view of the forecast of inclement weather.
The schools, which were scheduled to reopen after a three-month winter vacation on March 1, would now resume on Monday.
“In view of the weather advisory issued by the Meteorological Department predicting heavy snowfall in the valley, it is hereby ordered that classwork in all government and recognized private schools of the Kashmir Division up to the higher secondary level shall commence from 4th March 2024,” the Kashmir School Education Director said in an order.
The winter break for students up to class 8 had started on November 28 last year, and for students of class 9 to 12 on December 11.
The teachers had resumed their duties on February 21, while the classwork was scheduled to resume on March 1.
A few places may experience heavy to very heavy snow, particularly the higher reaches of North Kashmir, Central & South Kashmir & Pir Panjal range of Jammu Division, it said.
