Fresh weather warning issued in J&K as strong WD hits region

Srinagar, Jan 18: The Meteorological department on Friday issued a fresh weather warning after a Western Disturbance (WD) hit the region which could result in isolated , scattered and fairly widespread rain and snow during the next about a week which could affect air and surface traffic.

A Met department spokesman said here this afternoon there could be scattered light snowfall in the Kashmir valley and Ladakh region and isolated rain and snow in Jammu region during the next 24 hours.

He said during the subsequent six days there could be widespread, scattered and fairly widespread rain and snow in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a warning he said there could be isolated to heavy rain and snowfall on January 20 followed by fairly widespread rain and snow on January 21 and scattered to heavy rain and snow on January 23.

He said mercury remained below in summer capital, Srinagar where the minimum temperature was 3.3 degree, still over three notches below normal. The maximum temperature in the city was minus 0.7 degree yesterday which was over two degree above normal.

Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan has also issued weather advisory according to which moderate to heavy snow and rain is expected from January 19 to 25 at widespread places of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions.

The advisory read that light snowfall would commence at a few places of Kashmir on tomorrow forenoon and increase in intensity and distribution thereof.

The main activity of the system (heavy to very heavy with isolated very heavy rain/snow) is most likely during January 20 to 23 January 2019 and gradual decrease thereafter, reads the advisory.

According to details, this weather system may lead to disruption of surface and air transportation like National Highway Srinagar-Jammu, and other major roads of the State.

Heavy precipitation may cause avalanches in higher reaches, landslide, water logging in low lying areas, besides, farmers are advised to take all precautionary measures to avoid losses due to heavy snow, rain.

In addition to it, there will be a significant fall in day temperature and a slight rise in night temperature.

Accordingly, Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir Division including Leh and Kargil have been asked to advise people not to venture in avalanche prone areas during this period. The concerned Deputy Commissioners are directed to activate their control rooms and ensure that the snow clearance equipment is placed at proper places for snow clearance in respect of their districts as per the snow clearance plan.