Rain, snowfall predicted in Kashmir

The prevalent dry spell in Kashmir is expected to end this weekend with the MeT predicting rains and snowfall in the Valley, even as the night temperatures stayed below the freezing point at most places.
There are chances of moderate snowfall in the higher reaches of Kashmir on the intervening night of December 10 and 11, while we also expect a spell of rainfall in the plain areas of the Valley, Director of the Meteorological Department Sonam Lotus told PTI.
Lotus said moderate snowfall is expected to continue in some areas in the higher reaches of the Valley like Zojilla and Gurez on November 12 as well.

"There is possibility of light to moderate snowfall in areas like Zojilla, Gurez and other higher reaches on (December) 11 and 12 which would affect the visibility in these areas as well as make the roads slippery," he said.
He appealed to the people to take precautions and avoid travelling on these routes on the said dates.
The weather forecast brings in some good news for the residents of the Valley, especially those living in the plains, as the prevalent dry weather is expected to end.

The dry weather has resulted in increase in common ailments like cough and cold among the people here.

Meanwhile, the night temperature across Kashmir, except Gulmarg, continued to hover below the freezing point owing to continuous dry weather in the state.
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, witnessed a low of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius compared to the previous night s minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, said an official of the MET Department.
He said Kupwara, in north Kashmir, was the coldest recorded place in the Valley as the mercury settled at the low of minus 3.3 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.0 degrees Celsius against yesterday's minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, he said.

The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir was the only place where night temperature was recorded above freezing point at 2.2 degrees Celsius, he added.
The official said Qazigund town in south Kashmir registered minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, while the nearby Kokernag town recorded the low of minus 0.2 degree Celsius.
Leh was the coldest recorded place in the state recording the low of minus 8.3 degrees Celsius while nearby Kargil town registered the minimum of minus 6.4 degrees Celsius, the spokesman said.