Wintry spell returns as snow & rain cool Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Wet weather has brought the chill back to the Kashmir Valley, lowering temperatures across the region and prompting people to turn to warm clothing and traditional and electric hamams for relief. Srinagar had recorded a maximum temperature of 14.9°C Tuesday. Gulmarg and Sonamarg received fresh snowfall Wednesday, further contributing to the dip in mercury.

The meteorological department, in its Wednesday evening forecast, predicted “erratic weather” till March 20.

Snowfall at Pir Ki Gali along Mughal Road led to the route’s closure. The plains, including Srinagar, were lashed by rain, which continued till Wednesday evening. Historian Khalid Bashir described the weather as “serenity unveiled along the course of the Jhelum, a wet Wednesday's gentle gift”.

Scores of tourists were spotted taking selfies in Gulmarg, many expressing surprise at the March snowfall. “We were not expecting snowfall at this time. In one trip, we got to see the Tulip Garden in Srinagar plus snowfall,” a tourist said.

The plunge in mercury contrasts with last month’s dry spell in Kashmir, which had raised concerns. Srinagar, the summer capital, recorded its warmest Feb on record, with the maximum temperature rising 10°C above normal on Feb 22 at 21°C. A day later, CM Omar Abdullah had called for the introduction of artificial snow at Gulmarg to sustain tourism activity.

In Feb, independent forecaster Faizan Arif had stated that the previous all-time Feb record for Srinagar was 20.6°C, which was observed on Feb 24, 2016. He had said that the Feb 22 reading officially made it the warmest Feb day ever recorded in the city.

The current weather is expected to remain cloudy, with intermittent light to moderate rain or snowfall at many places, the Met department stated Wednesday. A few higher reaches of Chenab Valley in Jammu division and south Kashmir may receive moderate to heavy snowfall. Weather conditions are likely to improve between March 21 and 25, with generally dry conditions expected. However, a brief spell of rain or snow at isolated places cannot be ruled out on March 23.

The department advised travellers planning to move through higher reaches and key passes to plan accordingly between March 18 and 20, as there is a possibility of heavy rain and snowfall at some places, accompanied by thunder and gusty winds (40–50 kmph) and isolated hailstorms. The department urged farmers to suspend operations during this period.
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