Updated on February 14 at 11:10 am: Ongoing rains in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand to disrupt normal life till Feb 15
Light to moderate rain with few heavy spells of snow is being observed in Jammu and Kashmir. This activity will continue over the state including Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand until tomorrow. The intensity will start reducing by the night of February 15.
An Avalanche alert has already been issued in Himachal Pradesh until Friday, particularly for Lahaul-Spiti , Kullu, Chamba and Kinnaur. During such weather activity, incidents of landslides become a common phenomenon in the hills and there is all likelihood for the Jammu-Srinagar highway to remain closed for at least next two days.
Updated on February 13 at 14:00 pm: Rain and snow in Jammu and Kashmir; to cover Himachal, Uttarakhand
Light to moderate rainfall activity is being observed in Jammu and Kashmir since 5 pm yesterday. It has also started to snow in the higher reaches as well.
While Gulmarg is experiencing heavy rains since yesterday, the summer capital Srinagar is witnessing non-stop light rainfall. The weather condition is likely to prevail for another 24 hours. More intense weather activity in terms of rain and snow will be observed on February 14.
Yesterday, the rains remained confined to Jammu and Kashmir which is now likely to spread over parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. This condition is likely to continue for a few days and a relief will be seen only by February 16. By February 18, the weather wil change its course and start giving rain again.
Current scenario
Looking at the current figures for precipitation, the three hilly states are running rain excess as of now- all exceeding much beyond their normal figures. Uttarakhand is excess by 59%, Himachal Pradesh by 28% and Jammu and Kashmir by 85%. This year, the months of January and February are turning out to be good in terms of rain for the hills.
This time, winters began quite late for the hills picking up only by mid-January. The first good spell was observed around January 20, with January 23 being the rainiest till then. Now however, rain and snow have become a regularity and hills are experiencing repeated rainy spells. The first rain and snow spell was experienced between January 30 and 31, followed by more spell on February 6, 7 and 8.
Next upcoming spell
A fresh spell of rain is forecast for the hills on February 13, 14, and 15. This will be followed by a another spell starting from February 18.
Caution extended for locals
These one-after the other rainy spells if anything are just welcoming more risks such as landslides, avalanches and mudslides. When all major roads get blocked leading to the snow-clad peaks, residents face a lack of fresh supplies with dependence on stock food plummeting manifold. A caution for locals has been extended for the remaining month of February as many systems are in queue one after the other, with very short breaks in between.
Image Credits – The Kashmir Horizon
Any information taken from here should be credited to Skymet Weather