Life again thrown out of gear as rain lashes Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 15: Normal life was once again thrown out of gear on Thursday as light to moderate rain lashed the summer capital, Srinagar, and other parts of Kashmir valley since late last night, resulting in chilly weather conditions.

Meanwhile, the night temperature dipped due to overnight rain across Kashmir valley, where the weather woes are expected to continue till Sunday.

A Met department spokesperson told TNN that light to moderate rain and thundershowers would occur at most places during the next four days from Thursday under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which is active in the region. 'A weather warning has been issued till Sunday, during which thunderstorms and lightning with gusty winds (30-40 km/hour) would occur at isolated places,' he said.

He said the weather will be dry on April 19. However, he said a fresh WD, which would originate from the Arabian Sea and would approach the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan, would hit the region on April 20. 'Under the influence of this WD, another spell of wet weather is predicted in the valley,' he added.

Incessant rain lashed world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, since late last night, resulting in dip in the minimum and maximum temperature. The mercury at the ski resort dipped about 2 degree from Wednesday and settled at 0.5 degree, which is a degree below normal. The tourists at Gulmarg woke up to a chilly and rainy Thursday morning. The weather at the ski resort remained chilly throughout the day due to intermittent moderate to heavy rain.

After witnessing a dip of about 2 degree in the night temperature due to overnight rain, people in Srinagar woke up to a chilly and rainy morning. Against 9.4 degree recorded on Wednesday, the night temperature in the city dipped and settled at 7.8 degree, which is slightly above normal. Meanwhile, the vehicular and pedestrian movement was badly affected due to water-logging on many roads in the city, where people could be seen wearing warm clothes, including woolens and jackets, to evade chilly weather conditions. Many roads in the city, including uptown and civil lines, witnessed heavy traffic jam.

The spokesperson said that there would be light to moderate rain and thundershowers during the next 24 hours in Srinagar, where the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 12 degree and 7 degree, respectively.

Intermittent moderate to heavy rain also lashed other parts of Kashmir valley, including Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kokernag. The night temperature at these places dipped and settled at 6.2 degree, 6.6 degree and 5.5 degree, respectively.

World famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, also received intermittent light to moderate rain since late last night, resulting in chilly weather conditions. Against 4.2 degree recorded on Wednesday, the night temperature dipped and settled at 2.9 degree, which is slightly above normal.