The Kashmir Dialogues
Srinagar, Mar 14: Jammu and Kashmir witnessed continuous rainfall and snowfall for the third consecutive day on Friday, with the Meteorological Department (MeT) predicting another 24 hours of precipitation before an expected improvement from March 16.
As per details available with The Kashmir Dialogues (TKD), higher reaches, including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Peer Ki Gali, Zojila Pass, and Sadhna Top, received fresh snowfall, while intermittent rains lashed the plains, including Srinagar.
The MeT department has issued a ‘yellow alert’ for Saturday, forecasting light to moderate rain across most areas and snow in higher altitudes. MeT Director Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad stated that brief spells of light rain and snow are expected in the morning, followed by gradual improvement in the afternoon. He further predicted generally dry weather from March 17 to 24.
Independent weather forecaster Aadil Maqbool also indicated that moderate to heavy rainfall would continue across Jammu and Kashmir for the next 24 hours, with snowfall likely in higher reaches, including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, Yousmarg, and parts of Shopian, Kulgam, and Kupwara. He expects the weather to improve by tomorrow night or early March 16.
Meanwhile, the MeT has issued advisories urging travelers, tourists, and transporters to follow official traffic guidelines. Farmers have been advised to suspend operations until March 16, and residents are cautioned against visiting avalanche-prone and landslide-prone areas.
The fresh spell of rainfall and snowfall has also led to a rise in water levels in Jhelum and other streams. At 6:00 PM, the water level in Jhelum was recorded at 1.38 ft at Sangam and 3.86 ft at Ram Munshi Bagh. Other water bodies, including Vaishow Nallah and Wular, were reported to be above zero level.
