Srinagar, Jan 1: The weatherman on Tuesday predicted rain and snow across Jammu and Kashmir state, warning the fresh western disturbances (WDs) on January 02 and 04 will lead to disruption in surface transport on major highways following which Divisional Commissioner Kashmir also issued a weather advisory.
A weather bulletin issued by local Meteorological department today said a fresh western disturbance will most likely affect the state of Jammu and Kashmir from evening of January 01 to 02.
“Under the influence of this system, light rain/snow (plains) to moderate rain/snow (upper reaches) is expected at widespread places of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh region,” the weather advisory said.
The advisory bulletin addressed to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Jammu said another western disturbance will most likely affect the state from evening of January 04 to 06.
It said under the influence of this system, moderate rain/snow is expected at widespread places of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh region with possibility of heavy snowfall in isolated places with maximum intensity and spread on 4 and 5 January and gradual decrease thereafter.
It said “this will be the first major wet spell in the starting of New Year for J&K.”
Issuing a warning-cum-advisory for transport, it said the weather system may lead to disruption of surface and air transportation like national highway (Srinagar-Jammu, Mughal Road), etc.
Also, in its general warning, the weather advisory said the higher reaches of Kashmir, Ladakh and hilly area of Jammu most likely to receive moderate snowfall during 4 and 5 January with possibility of heavy snowfall in isolated places.
Regarding temperatures across state, it added “there will be significant fall in day temperature and slight rise in night temperature.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir in a weather advisory said that a spell of moderate rain or snow is expected at widespread places of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions with possibility of heavy snowfall in isolated placed with maximum intensity and spread on 4th and 5th January and gradual decrease thereafter.
According to details, this weather system may lead to disruption of surface and air transportation. It said higher reaches of Kashmir, Ladakh and hilly areas of Jammu are most likely to receive moderate snowfall during 4th and 5th January with the possibility of heavy snowfall in isolated places. 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. They have also been 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.
Meanwhile, there was some respite from the intense cold in Kashmir Valley as the minimum temperature rose slightly owing to overcast conditions, with Srinagar recording a low of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, an over two-notch rise from minus 6.6 degrees Celsius the previous night.
According to a Meteorological department official, Qazigund in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, while the nearby Kokernag town registered a low of minus 1.9 degrees Celsius.
Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 5.4 degrees Celsius on Monday night, while night temperature in Pahalgam settled at minus 4.9 degrees Celsius, up from minus 5.5 degrees Celsius the previous night.
The official said Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, nearly a degree up from the previous night’s minus 5 degrees Celsius.
However, in Ladakh region the mercury went further down, with night temperature in Leh town settling at minus 14.6 degrees Celsius on Monday night, down from minus 14 degrees Celsius the previous night.
Kargil recorded a low of minus 17.3 degrees Celsius, the official said, adding Monday night was the coldest of the season so far there.
It was also the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir.
