The Meteorological Department has predicted wet weather in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh for next three days as a Western Disturbance is expected to hit the region from Wednesday to Friday.
Director MeT, Sonam Lotus, said an active WesternDisturbance was most likely to affect J&K and
Ladakh during March 11-13 with main activity on March 12 and13. “During this period especially on 12th and 13th, there is high probabilityof widespread moderate to heavy snowfall in higher reaches and rain in plainsof J&K and at few places of Ladakh,” Lotus said.
He said there was also a high possibility of thunderstormaccompanied “by strong gusty winds, hailstorm during the period of inclementweather for next three days.”
“Accordingly, all concerned like administration, travellersand farmers are requested to take note of the impending adverse weather,” saida weather advisory issued by MeT.
The predicted wet spell will be the second major phase ofinclement weather this month as last week widespread rains had lashed theValley brining down day temperatures. As per MeT officials, the rainfall duringthis month is expected to overcome the rain deficit witnessed in both J&Kand Ladakh.
Meanwhile, as bright sunshine greeted people in the Valleyon Tuesday, day temperature in summer capital Srinagar was recorded at 16.5degrees Celsius.
Srinagar-Jammu highway closed:
Fresh landslides on the 270 kilometer Srinagar-JammuNational Highway lead to its closure on Tuesday. A traffic advisory said nofresh traffic will be allowed to move on Wednesday.
“Due to fresh landslide at Hingni Ramsoo, tomorrowthere shall be no vehicular movement on Jammu-Srinagar highway. No freshvehicle shall be allowed from either side of the road,” the advisory read.It said decision regarding the movement of vehicles will be taken afterclearance of road.
“People are advised to undertake journey on highwayonly after confirming status of the road from traffic control units.”
Traffic movement was disrupted on the highway at differentlocations due to landslides on Tuesday.
Traffic Control Unit Ramban told Greater Kashmir thatlandslides blocked the highway at Hingni, Chanderkote and Digdol.
Earlier, inclement weather had lead to highway being closedfor more than 25 days since November, 2019 causing huge inconvenience totravellers and choking essential supplies to the Valley. Frequent closure of thehighway also causes sky-rocketing of air fares from various destinations to theValley.
More recently, shooting stones and landslides have causedseveral accidents on the highway resulting in loss of lives.
Snow clearance work on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway,which started a few days back, is expected to be completed by end of March, anofficial said. Mughal Road connecting Shopian district with Pir Panchal remainsclosed due to accumulation of snow.
(With MM PARVAIZ in RAMBAN)