Rains lash J&K, temperature dips
: Light to moderate rains lashed Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday bringing down temperatures in the region.
The meteorological centre in Srinagar said rains were recorded in many parts of the union territory as the weather was cloudy with MeT predicting light rain over many parts of north and south Kashmir and many places of Jammu.
“The southern resort of Pahalgam in Kashmir witnessed 10.2 mm rains during the day which are still continuing while the Banihal in Ramban district recorded 15.4 mm rains,” said an official of MeT at 6.45 pm.
The official said that the rains brought down the maximum temperatures in the region.
“The summer capital Srinagar recorded 17.7°C, some 3.4 notches below normal,” she said.
The rains made the condition of roads slippery which slowed down the movement of traffic on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, coupled with the movement of nomads on the highway.
“The movement of heavy vehicles is going on the highway, though the movement of light motor vehicles was allowed till the cut-off time of 1.30 pm,” an official of traffic police said in the evening.
He said that the stranded vehicles on Srinagar-Leh highway, which was closed on Sunday owing to rains and snowfall, were allowed movement on Thursday. “No fresh traffic was allowed on SSG road,” he said.
He said that the Mughal road, which connects Shopian with Jammu’s Rajouri and Poonch districts, was still closed after traffic movement was stopped on it owing to snowfall and rains on Saturday.
The MeT said that the wet weather conditions will continue on Friday as well.
“Generally cloudy with light to moderate rain and light snow over higher reaches was expected at most places with thunder and lightning till April 19 late evening,” said MeT director Mukhtar Ahmad.
He said that Saturday will also experience light rain at scattered places. “From April 21 to 25, generally dry weather with afternoon thundershower activity at isolated places can’t be ruled out,” he said, saying that it will be followed by light rain on April 26 and 27.
Temporary disruption of surface transportation over a few higher reaches is also expected on Friday. “General public are advised not to venture out near streams, nallahs and other water bodies during the next 2-3 days. There is also the possibility of landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at vulnerable places during these days,” he said.
Yellow alert to continue in Himachal Pradesh
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Friday and Saturday in Himachal Pradesh. For Friday, the weather office has predicted wet weather conditions with thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail and gusty wind (40-50 km/ph) at isolated places.
While rainfall is expected over large areas, there are chances of fresh snowfall in the higher reaches as well. The weather is expected to improve after Saturday. As per IMD, the weather was dry over the state during the last 24 hours.