Srinagar, Apr 27 (UNI) Several areas in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir received fresh snowfall while the plains were lashed by rain on Saturday, officials said.
The snowfall in the higher reaches triggered the closure of the Mughal Road - the mountainous route that connects Pir Panjal to Kashmir.
They said more than six inches of snow accumulated at the Peer Ki Gali till this evening.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is open for traffic.
The Meteorological centre in Srinagar has predicted more precipitation for the next three days.
Till ending April, while the plains in Jammu and Kashmir are expected to receive light to widespread rains, the upper reaches may witness light snowfall in coming days.
MeT Srinagar centre’s director Mukhtar Ahmad said generally cloudy with light to moderate rain or snow in higher reaches was expected at many places on Saturday.
“There is a possibility of heavy rain, thunder, lightning and hailstorm at isolated places,” he said.
Fairly widespread, moderate rainfall or snowfall with lightning-laden thunderstorms are expected over Jammu & Kashmir on Sunday and Monday
“Generally cloudy with light to moderate rain, snow (light snow over higher reaches) at most places with thunder, lightning, hailstorm, gusty winds at few places with possibility of heavy rain over isolated places of Jammu & Kashmir Division particularly on 28 & 29th April,” MeT director said.
On Tuesday, the weather is expected to be generally cloudy with light rain with thunder at many places.
Ahmad said the weather is likely to remain dry between May 1-5.
The MeT has advised farmers to suspend farm operations till April 30.
The inclement weather may lead to temporary disruption of traffic over higher reaches of Zojila, Sinthan Pass, Mughal Road, and Razdan pass
MeT said there is a possibility of landslides and shooting stones till the end of April.
There is also a possibility of a temporary increase in water level in Jehlum & tributaries and other local streams and Nallas, MeT said.
Meanwhile, Srinagar received 4.5 mm of rainfall, Qazigund in south Kashmir 10.2 mm, the tourist resort of Pahalgam 20.8 mm, Kupwara in north Kashmir15.1mm and ski resort of Gulmarg 8.6 mm in the last 24 hours till 8:30 am this morning.
The winter capital Jammu received 2.3 mm, Banihal 2.3 mm, Batote 22.8 mm, Katra 4.6mm and Bhadarwah 16.4mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours.
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