Mid and higher reaches of Jammu & Kashmir received scattered snowfall, last evening/night, the first of this season. The popular resorts of Kashmir like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg witnessed the maiden snowfall of this season, while the lower parts like Srinagar, Banihal and Qazi Gund were lashed by light to moderate rainfall. Affarwat in the Gulmarg area of Baramulla district and Sadhna top in Kupwara received light snowfall. Reports of snowfall were received from uninhabited mountainous areas in Kashmir as well. The Mughal Road, connecting south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu’ Pir Panjal region and Bandipora-Gurez road were closed to vehicular traffic on Monday evening following fresh snowfall in the higher reaches. Even, the Peer Ki Gali area, which received over 5 cm of snow was closed to traffic. Some 20-odd vehicles were stranded on Bandipora-Gurez Road, and rescued later.
The winter season of 2024, in January and February had started on an alarming note for the mountains of North India. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand had rain deficits of 48%, 41% and 52%, respectively. Even the monsoon season from June to September had a shortfall of 26% for Jammu & Kashmir. The state has recorded a deficit of 27% since January 01 this year till 31st October. The persistent shortage and the prolonged dry spell in the ongoing season have further ended up in the receding of water level in river Jhelum and other water bodies, leading to water scarcity in the region.
The fresh light spell was under the influence of a weak upper air trough, moving across the region. The weather conditions are expected to become better today. However, another western disturbance is likely to approach the same area, sometime tomorrow night. This weather system will be stronger than the current one. Also, the spread and intensity of weather will be more and last longer, as well. Another spell covering even the mid-reaches is likely between the 13th and 16th Nov 2024. Srinagar, Banihal, Ramban and Qazi Gund will witness another round of rains during this period. Even, the foothills like Jammu, Udhampur, Samba and Kathua are likely to observe light rainfall during this window.
A broad clearance in the weather activity is expected from 17th Nov onwards. In the wake of the system, will lead to decline in the mercury level. The likelihood of hailstorms in some places will trigger plunging of mercury by 4-5°C below the normal, in a few places. Even, the foothills and plains of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab will get nip in the air, at least in the night and early morning hours.
Image Courtesy: Times of India