Kashmir Valley Records Heaviest Snowfall, Throws Life Out Of Gear

As predicted, entire Kashmir Valley received a blanket of snow, painting most cities white in the region. Precariously, the valley has witnessed heaviest snowfall of the season so late, nearly fag end of ‘Chillai Bachha’. Generally, weather conditions start looking up and begin heading for substantial relief around this time. The complete region has received extended spell of snow and thunderstorm, throwing normal life out of gear.

An active western disturbance arrived on 22^ndFeb and started ravaging the valley, the whole day on 22^ndFeb and extended further even on 23^rdFeb.  A record rain and snow for the season has been witnessed over the state capital Srinagar and other popular resorts like Gulmarg and Pahalgam.

Over the last 2 days, Srinagar, Banihal and Qazi Gund  has recorded 82mm, 100mm and 97mm of rain and snow, far exceeding the averages. Weather system has dumped about 20-30 inches of snow in Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Poonch and Peer Ki Gali.

Heavy snow resulted closure of the airfield, cancelling all the flights to and from Srinagar.  Continuous snow hampered snow clearing operations as well and coupled with low visibility of < 500mtr stopped airfield operations. Vehicular traffic on the state and national highways was suspended due to snow accumulation, landslides and danger of shooting stones.

The train services between Banihal and Baramulla were halted due to piling of snow on the tracks and also on either end of the terminals.   Heavy snow and uprooting of trees damaged the electricity towers and transmission lines, resulting power outages for long duration.

Inclement weather activity will continue today also, albeit with lesser fury.  Air operations are expected to resume  with snow clearance taken up on war footing.  Substantial reduction is expected in the intensity and spread of weather on 25^th and 26^thFeb.

However, fleeting spells of rain and snow will continue  over most parts. Large clearance can be expected on 27^thFeb over the entire state of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.  Fresh western disturbance is likely to approach the very next day on 28^thFeb and impact the valley for the subsequent 2 days.