MeT predicts erratic weather till March 15

SRINAGAR — The weatherman on Tuesday forecasted erratic weather as intermittent rain with thunderstorm in plains and snow over higher reaches in Kashmir Valley is expected till March 15.

“Weather is going to remain erratic till March 15. Expect intermittent rain with thunderstorm and snow over higher reaches mainly during March 11 to 13,” said Sonam Lotus, Director Meteorological Department of J&K and Ladakh.

He said that the weather may affect Banihal-Ramban, Zojila Highways due to landslide, snow slides etc.
“Farmers are advised to avoid spraying of orchards and other farm operations till 15th of March,” he said.

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.

Earlier, upper reaches of the Valley including Gulmarg received fresh snowfall while rains lashed plains.

A Meteorological Department official said that Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort, received 37 centimetres of fresh snowfall in the last 24 hours till 0830 hours. In the past 48 hours, the tourist destination in north Kashmir received 50 CM (1.65ft) of snow and recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.2°C against minus 3.5°C on the previous night, the official said.

Srinagar, the official said, received 14.9mm of rain during last 24 hours even as it recorded a low of 5.2°C against 5.8°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.9°C above normal for this time of the year in this summer capital, the official said.

Qazigund recorded a low of 2.8°C against 4.8°C on the previous night and received 33.2mm of rain during the time.

The mercury settled at 2.1°C against minus 1.4°C on the earlier night at Pahalgam while the famous resort received 6.9mm rain.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 1.1°C against 3.9°C on the previous night while it received 19.7mm of rain.

The minimum temperature settled at 3.7°C in Kupwara against 3.9°C on the previous night while the north Kashmir district received 2.4mm rain, the official said.

Leh received 2 centimetres of snow while it recorded a low of minus 4.3°C, the official said.