MeT Predicts Wet Weekend, Issues ‘Yellow Warning’

SRINAGAR: The weatherman on Thursday forecast widespread rains on

March 7 even as the minimum temperatures increased in Kashmir Valley, officials said on Thursday.

A meteorological department official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 3.9 degree Celsius against 2.8 degree Celsius on the previous night. The temperature was 1.7 degree Celsius above normal for this time of the year in this summer capital, the official said.

Qazigund recorded a low of 2.2 degree Celsius against 1.4 degree Celsius on the previous night while the mercury settled at 2.1 degree Celsius at the

famous resort of Pahalgam against 0.5 degree Celsius on the earlier night.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 3.4 degree Celsius against 2.5 degree Celsius on the previous night.

The minimum temperature settled at 3.4 degree Celsius in Kupwara against 0.2 degree Celsius on the previous night, the official said.

Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.0 degree Celsius against minus 2.4 degree Celsius on the previous night.

“Fairly widespread” rains have been predicted for March 6 while widespread rains (76-100% predictability) have been forecast on March 7.

The weatherman has also issued “yellow warning” for “isolated heavy rain/snow/thunder/lightning/hail” on March 7 and said that the weather system may impact surface traffic due to landslides on Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world.

“There is possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightening over plains and light to moderate snow over higher reaches during late night of 6th March and 7th March and thereafter decrease in intensity and distribution,” the Met official said.

Possibility of heavy snow over isolated places particularly over higher reaches can't be ruled out during March 7, the officials said.

He said that the probable Impacts include disruption of surface transport over higher reaches, possibility of landslides and shooting stones over Jammu-Srinagar Highway, possibility of hailstorm at isolated places over plains of Jammu Division and fall in maximum temperature by 4-8 degree Celsius.

There are four types 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. (GNS)