Srinagar: Higher reaches of Kashmir on Monday received snowfall while the plains were lashed by rains, ending a month-long dry spell in the valley, officials said.
Affarwat in Gulmarg area of Baramulla district and Sadhna Top in Kupwara district received light snowfall, they said. Kilshay Top, Tulail, and nearby villages in Gurez, Doodhpathri, Sinthan top , Zojila pass and Baltal-Pahalgam also received snowfall while Srinagar and other plain areas of the valley were lashed by rain late in the afternoon, they added.
The snowfall and rain lowered the day temperature significantly, signalling the arrival of winter in Kashmir.
Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a deficit rainfall of 27 percent since January 1 his year till October 31st and this deficiency in precipitation has resulted in the receding of water level in the River Jhelum and other streams, which in turn has led to the water scarcity in many areas in the Valley.
Local news agency KNO reported that the year 2024 has thus far seen persistent deficiency in precipitation. J&K recorded a rainfall deficit of 48% during January and February months, while the pre-monsoon period of March to May also had a nine percent shortfall. Monsoon season ended with 26 percent deficit rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir following which the previous month, October, also ended with a 74 percent deficit, with some parts of south Kashmir experiencing more than a 90 percent deficit.
As per KNO, the available data suggests that overall there has been a deficit of 27 percent rainfall from January 01, 2024 to October 31, 2024.
