Snow Relief To Continue: IMD Forecasts Heavy Snowfall On January 30-31

Srinagar: For those looking forward to a snowy start to 2024 in Jammu & Kashmir, January was an even bigger disappointment compared to December 2023. ‘Chillai kalan’ — the 40-day-long period of bitter cold — also failed to deliver any precipitation. Lack of snow and rain left the residents freezing amid the dry cold spell, while the tourists turned back home in dismay from the snowless ski resorts.

And just as hope turned to hopelessness, a series of strong Western Disturbances, as if held back by some invisible force, began rushing in since the weekend. Fresh bouts of snow reportedly graced places like Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Gurez, Keran, Tangdhar, among others. In fact, tourists were seen frolicking in the snow at Gulmarg’s ski resort on Sunday, January 28.

Now, two more successive systems will be impacting Northwest India from January 30 and February 3, respectively. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), these western disturbances will spark up to moderate, fairly widespread rainfall/ snowfall over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad and Himachal Pradesh during the next seven days, until February 4.

Further, isolated heavy showers or snowfall (64.5 mm-115.5 mm) is also likely over Kashmir on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 30-31, and Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, January 31.

A yellow watch, meaning ‘be prepared’, has been issued over these regions for the forecast period owing to the possibility of intense snowfall activity.

Roads in higher reaches and important passes, like the Sinthan Pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna and Razdan Pass and Zojila, have been temporarily closed off amid inclement weather. And travellers have been asked to plan their trips accordingly. The MeT department has also advised farmers to withhold irrigation and fertiliser application and drain out excess water from orchards and fields during this period.

As for the mercury levels, the cloud cover over the region has caused the night temperatures to soar across Kashmir. Srinagar witnessed