Wintry spell returns as snow & rain cool Kashmir | India News
SRINAGAR: Wet weather has brought chill back to the Kashmir Valley, dropping temperatures across the region and prompting people to turn to warm clothes and traditional and electric hammams for relief. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 14.9 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. Gulmarg and Sonamarg received fresh snowfall on Wednesday, further contributing to the plunge in mercury.The Meteorological Department, in its Wednesday evening forecast, predicted “unsettled weather” till March 20.The route was closed due to snowfall at Pir Ki Gali along Mughal Road. Rains lashed the plains, including Srinagar, which continued till Wednesday evening. Historian Khalid Bashir described the weather as “the serenity that unfolded along the Jhelum, the gentle gift of a wet Wednesday”.Many tourists were seen taking selfies in Gulmarg, many expressing surprise at the March snowfall. “We weren’t expecting snowfall this time. On one trip, we got to see tulip gardens and snowfall in Srinagar,” said a tourist.The drop in mercury is in contrast to last month’s dry spell in Kashmir, which raised concerns. Srinagar, the summer capital, recorded its hottest February on record, with a maximum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius on February 22, 10 degrees Celsius above normal. A day later, CM Omar Abdullah called for the introduction of artificial snow in Gulmarg to sustain tourism activities.In February, independent forecaster Faizan Arif said Srinagar’s previous all-time February record was 20.6 degrees Celsius, which was observed on February 24, 2016. He said the Feb. 22 reading officially made it the hottest February day on record in the city.The current weather is expected to remain cloudy with occasional light to moderate rain or snow at many places, the Meteorological Department said on Wednesday. Some higher parts of Chenab valley of Jammu division and south Kashmir may receive moderate to heavy snowfall. Weather conditions may improve between March 21 and 25, with generally dry conditions expected However, the possibility of light rain or snow at isolated places on March 23 cannot be ruled out.The department has advised travelers planning to reach higher reaches and pass through the main pass between March 18 and 20 to plan accordingly, as heavy rain and snow are likely at some places, accompanied by thunder and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) and isolated hail. The department has called upon farmers to suspend operations during this period.
