MeT forecasts more rains, snow till Mar 15

Incessant rains in Valley, snow in hills

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Mar 11: The higher reaches received fresh light snowfall today while the incessant rains lashed the Valley for the second consecutive day today.
Gulmarg and other upper reaches of Kashmir received light snowfall for the second consecutive day today bringing the temperature further down.
The Weatherman has forecast erratic weather with intermittent rain with thunderstorms in plains and snow over higher reaches in the Valley till March 15. “There is a possibility of light to moderate rain and snow for the next 36 hours,” the official said.
Sonam Lotus, Director Meteorological department, said that the weather is going to remain erratic till March 15.
“Expect intermittent rain with thunderstorm and snow over higher reaches mainly during March 11-12th and 14th,” he said, adding, “overall improvement will take place most likely from 16th till next spell.”
He said that the farmers are advised to avoid spraying of orchards and other farm operations till 15th March.
For March 11 and 12, the Weatherman has also issued a “yellow warning” for “isolated heavy rain/snow, thundershowers with lightning, hail and gusty winds” in Kashmir as well as Jammu divisions.
There are four types of colour codes signifying the level of caution: green which means no action, yellow-situation to be watched, amber -government agencies need to be prepared for severe weather and red -action needed by the agencies.
A Meteorological department official said that Gulmarg received 7.6 centimetres fresh snowfall in last 24 hours. In last four days, the famed tourist destination in North Kashmir received 60.1cm of snow and recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.2 degree Celsius against minus 3.5 degree Celsius the previous night.
Srinagar received 2.3mm of fresh rain during the 24 hours even as it recorded a low of 6.8 degree Celsius against 4.3 degree Celsius the previous night. The temperature was 3.5 degree Celsius above normal for this time of the year.
Qazigund recorded a low of 5.7 degree Celsius against 4.6 degree Celsius the previous night and received 4.4mm of rain during the time.
The mercury settled at 1.6 degree Celsius against 0.4 degree Celsius the previous night at Pahalgam while the famous resort received 6.6mm rain.
Kokernag recorded a low of 4.3 degree Celsius against 2.7 degree Celsius the previous night while it received 3.2mm rain.
The minimum temperature settled at 2.6 degree Celsius in Kupwara against 3.3 degree Celsius the previous night while the north Kashmir district received 12mm rain.