Moderate rains in Valley

Following a warm sunny day, moderate showers of rainfall lashed valley this evening. Rainfall was experienced in most parts of the valley accompanied by strong winds. Rainfall continued till filing of this report.

"This is just a brief spell of rain which will not cause any major disruption of life. It will get better soon," said Sonum Lotus, director meteorological department.

Meteorological Department has predicted moderate to light rain and snowfall across the state of Jammu and Kashmir from the evening of March 4 till March 7.

Sonum Lotus said higher reaches of the state will receive moderate snowfall. Plain areas of Jammu and Kashmir region will experience rainfall.

“From evening of March 4, we are expecting precipitation in the form of rain and snow across the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu regions will receive moderate rainfall as well,” said Sonum.

There will be a dip in the day temperatures while night temperatures shall rise by few degrees. Sonum ruled out the possibility of heavy snowfall anywhere in the valley.

He, however, cautioned people planning to travel across Jammu –Srinagar national highway.“People are suggested to consider the weather forecast before traveling in order to avoid inconveniences.”The month of February received persistent precipitation in the form of rain and snow across Kashmir, intercepted by brief sunny days. The total precipitation recorded during the month of February is 79 mm. In 2011, 100.9mm of precipitation was recorded, 88.9 mm in 2010, 108.9 minimum 2009 for the month of February.

The month of January has received more precipitation this year against past two year. This January recorded 60mm of precipitation which is above normal. In 2011, 54 mm of precipitation was recorded while in 2010, January saw 24 mm of precipitation.

This year December recorded below normal precipitation. While 48 mm of rainfall is normal for the month of December, 33mm of precipitation was recorded during this December.

Fresh snowfall in Jammu kashmir

For the second consecutive day, normal life was affected in Kashmir as plains received fresh spell of rains while as light snowfall was recorded in the higher reaches as well as some of the important tourist destinations of the Valley.

Due to snowfall and incessant rains, Srinagar-Leh highway and Mughal road linking Kashmir valley with Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu province have been closed for traffic.

As the cold wave intensified in Kashmir valley, people could be seen looking for means to keep themselves warm. As people were greeted by rains and icy winds, very few people ventured out of their homes today.

The movement of traffic was also thin and everybody seemed to be in a hurry to reach to their respective destinations. The cold wave conditions forced the common masses to switch over to different forms of heating.

A Meteorological (Met) Department official said that the day temperature in Srinagar was recorded at 11 degrees Celsius while as the minimum temperature was recorded at 7.3 degrees Celsius. He said that Jammu recorded day temperature of 22.9 degrees Celsius while as the night temperature was recorded at 17.4 degrees Celsius.

The Met official said that rains or thundershowers are likely to occur at most of the places in Kashmir valley over the next 24 hours. He said both the Kashmir and Jammu divisions received light to moderate rains today.

"On Sunday from 8.30 AM to 5.30 PM, Srinagar received rainfall measuring 3.3 millimetres while as Jammu received rainfall measuring 4 millimetres. Maximum rainfall in the State was recorded at Bhaderwah where 17 millimetres of rainfall was measured," said the Met official.

He said that Qazigund received a rainfall of 3.6 millimetres while as 8.8 mm, 9.5 mm, 5 mm, 6.8 mm, 7.6 mm, and 5.4 mm rainfall was measured at Pahalgam, Kupwara, Kokernag, Banihal, Batote and Katra areas of the State respectively.

He said that 1.5 inches of snowfall was recorded at Gulmarg near the world famous Gandola adding that higher reaches of Pahalgam also received light snowfall. "The forecast for widespread rains and light snowfall is over for now. Most of the areas of Kashmir valley are likely to witness rain or thundershowers during the next 24 hours," said the Met official.

Due to rains and snowfall, the 434 kilometres long Srinagar-Leh highway was closed. A Government official said that the highway is closed since Saturday evening following snowfall at Zojila, Meenamarg and other places.

However, the 294 kilometres long Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained open for vehicular traffic despite light to moderate rains all along the route from Srinagar to Jammu.

Due to bad snowfall and incessant rains, Mughal road linking Kashmir with Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu division has been closed. The Deputy Commissioner Shopian has ordered that the Mughal road would remain closed between Dubjan and Peer Ki Gali and only the vehicle of the Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) building the road will be allowed to ply on the road.

Meanwhile, in Kashmir valley some of the people have started using Kangri (firepot) since Saturday, there are others who are using blowers and other electric appliances in order to keep themselves warm. The woolens are also out of the cupboards and people have started wearing Pheran (long gown) as the cold wave conditions have intensified.

The inclement weather played a spoilsport with the Sunday market here. While most of the roadside vendors decided to sit back at their homes the others braved the rains and set up their merchandise. But as very few people ventured out, the sale was at a dismal low.

"Sunday is an all important day for us since it is a day for earning for us. However, the rains coupled by icy weather conditions dampened our business for the day. I could not move out of the house and as such could not sell my merchandise on the Maulana Azad Road today," said Mohammad Maqbool, a roadside vendor.

Heavy rains lash Jammu region

Heavy rains at the fag end of the monsoons, which have been continuing since yesterday, have brought down the temperature considerably in Jammu region. However, rains disrupted life in Jammu region, especially in the plains and foothills, where heavy rains not only caused water logging and destruction of property.

An elderly woman also died after a boundary wall of her house collapse due to rains at Arnia today.Owing to heavy and intermittent rains in many parts, the water level in the river Tawi also saw a steep rise. The power supply was also affected in some parts of the city and adjoining areas. Heavy rains left many drains and nallahs choked. Water logging was also witnessed at many places in the city, which caused great inconvenience to the school going children as well as to the office goers.

Due to heavy rains, a 85 year old woman Shanti Devi of village Gandli in Arnia died as the fencing wall of the house collapsed while she was sitting besides that. 

  

In Jammu city, a rainfall of 82mms was recorded till 8:30 am in the morning and from 8:30 till 5:30 pm evening a rainfall of 3mms has been recorded. Whereas, outside the city  in Chatha, 8mms of rainfall has been recorded from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm in the evening.  It will be partially cloudy with isolated rainfall at some places tomorrow, according to the weather forecast.

Monsoon active in Jammu Kashmir

Monsoon becomes active again, more rains likely

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) today said that with the monsoon becoming active again, more rainfall is likely in different parts of Jammu region during the next few days.

"During the past few days there was no rainfall in several parts of Jammu as the monsoon had turned weak but now it has become active again as a result of which there would be light to moderate rainfall during the next two to three days from tomorrow", Director of the IMD, Srinagar, Sonam Lotus said.

He said that though monsoon rainfall in the country is 49 per cent less than the normal yet in Jammu it has remained normal so far and in the coming days more spells of rainfall will lash this part of the State.

Meanwhile, short duration rainfall this morning provided some respite from the humid atmosphere in Jammu. While in some areas of the Jammu, the duration of rainfall was 5 to10 minutes, in other areas rain continued for nearly half an hour, report said.

However, the short spell of the rainfall exposed the tall claims of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) with roads in the low lying areas getting flooded with water due to chocking of the drains thereby causing inconvenience to the pedestrians as well as two-wheeler riders.

The dug up lanes in several parts also caused inconvenience to the people, who alleged that the black-topping of lanes has not been started even in those areas where the laying of sewerage pipes has already been completed.

Heavy rains in Jammu

The winter capital of the state today witnessed heavy rainfall during morning hours. While it cooled down temperatures, bringing down mercury from 31.6 degrees Celsius to 29.6 degrees, it played havoc with life in the winter capital as it resulted in severe water logging at many crossings and markets of Jammu city. The roof of a house also collapsed at Rajpura Mangotrian area but no one was injured in the accident.

Heavy rains today morning lashed entire Jammu province which also resulted into water logging at many places due to choking of drains and accumulation of filth and garbage. Due to unclean drains, water logging took place at Kunjwani Chowk, Dogra Chowk, Krishna Nagar, road adjoining RRL labouratory, Bhagwati Nagar which also resulted in traffic jams at many crossing points.

Near Asia Chowk there was around 1 to 2 feet of water logging which halted the traffic flow for few minutes. The Dogra Chowk was looking like a mini-pool and water logging was around 2 feet deep. Some two wheelers also met with accidents due to deep water logging.

JMC authorities pressed their men and machinery into action to de-log rain water which had accumulated on roads especially at Dogra Chowk by using Suction machines, JCB’s and labourers but all in vain.  After few hours when rain fall stopped, water logging areas became clear.

The drains of Pacca Danga and Kali Janni area were choked with garbage, consequently the overflowing drains water entered into few shops. Shopkeepers of the area while criticising the JMC authorities said that it was only due to carelessness of JMC authorities that the rain water had entered into their shops.

The roof of a house also collapsed in Rajpura Mangotrian area due to heavy rains. No physical loss has been reported in the roof collapse but some household items were buried under the debris of roof.

Metereological department authorities said that due to strong monsoon currents Jammu city today recorded 19.4 mm of rainfall in between 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Banihal recorded 0.2 mm, Batote 1.0 mm, Katra recorded 23.4 mm of rainfall. While Srinagar, Kupwara and Kajikund recorded no rainfall while as Pahalgam recorded 1.0 mm, Kokernag recorded 0.2 mm of rainfall in between 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Authorities further added that there are possibilities of rains and thundershowers as also one or two spells of heavy rainfall in Jammu region in the next 24 hours.

“Metereological department had issued warnings of heavy rainfall over Amarnath cave shrine at around 10 AM due to which the pilgrimage remained suspended for few hours. But after the clouds shattered the pilgrimage was restored.” Met officials added. 

Fresh Rains and snow in Valley

In the midst of rain and fresh snow, the unusual cold snap began in April, the inhabitants of Kashmir valley today tremble day temperature in Srinagar, summer capital of the state's destruction, almost seven degrees below normal . While the incessant rain and wet snow in the valley, the road between Srinagar and Jammu 300 km, which was only surface link the valley with the rest of the world was opened to traffic in the opposite direction.

A Meteorological Department official said Srinagar daily temperature recorded is 10.4 degrees Celsius, almost seven degrees below normal for this time of year. The city received 6.1 mm of rain from 0830 hours 17.30 hours, the official said.

The minimum temperature in Srinagar was recorded at 3.6 degrees Celsius, two degrees Celsius compared Dip last night.

Qazigund, the gateway to Kashmir, recorded maximum of 10.3 degrees Celsius and rainfall of 1 mm in the period.

Pahalgam, the famous spa town, there was rain and fresh snow or 6.0 mm, while the daily temperature recoded to 7.8 degrees Celsius.

Kokernag recorded the maximum temperature of 9.8 degrees Celsius and rainfall of about 1.4 mm, while the district of Kupwara in north Kashmir, added the daily temperature was 6.2 degrees Celsius and rainfall of 9.3 mm .

Reports of snow was reported in Shopian in southern Kashmir and Bandipora District was in northern Kashmir.

Snowy Gulmarg Snow's testimony was the coldest place in all of Kashmir Division recording a low of less than 7.0 degrees Celsius.

Kargil, the second most populated area in the high altitude desert of Ladakh, was the second coldest place in the division of Kashmir, the inclusion of at least minus 2.6 degrees Celsius. Leh recorded a low of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, the official said.

On 24-hour forecast, he said, "Light rain / snow will occur in many parts of the state."

Despite the rain held Srinagar-Jammu highway, as the lifeline of the Valley to open traffic.

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Heavy rain in kashmir valley

Heavy intermittent rain and snow swept control of Kashmir on Saturday after authorities issued a flood warning at the top. incessant rain has forced the closure of the road between Srinagar and Jammu and delayed flights.

While the upper valley, including the world famous tourist resort Gulmarg snow has today received the levels of which were battered by incessant rains with occasional snow Srinagar in the afternoon. 

"It was snowing heavily here since early morning," said a hotel in Gulmarg. Fresh snow and rain have led to severe cold has to force people to wear warm clothes, wool and again.

The cave shrine of Amarnath, including the top and its periphery, also received fresh snow since last night. Snow Reports were also received from Sheshnag, Panjterni, Pisso Mahaguns and above.

A Meteorological Department official said the Srinagar city recorded 23.2 mm, 19.2 mm Qazigund, Pahalgam 27.6 mm, 18.4 mm and 10.2 mm of rain until tonight Karnah Kupwara.

He said the highest rainfall was recorded 17.6 mm of rain in Kokernag. "Low-pressure system is dominant over the valley and tomorrow will continue. The weather will improve on Monday," Director of the Department of Meteorology, said Sonam Lotus. 

Road closed 

The road between Srinagar and Jammu 300 km, the only road connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the world closed to vehicular traffic this afternoon by landslides caused by incessant rain. Hundreds of vehicles for supplies, stranded on the road.

"The rain triggered landslides in several places. They are clearing the stranded vehicles," said Superintendent of Police, Traffic, GM Wadoo Great Kashmir.

He said no vehicle was allowed to leave for Jammu and Srinagar any time to improve. 

First flight delayed 

A flight from Srinagar International Airport was delayed due to bad weather. "No flights were canceled, only delayed flight," airport director, said Raj Malik captain. 

Avalanche danger 

Authorities sounded danger of avalanches in the wake of rain and snow. 

The relief coordinator Cell Amir Ali said the medium-risk avalanche warning service in the upper reaches Gurez, Baruab, Chakwali, Kanzalwan, Niru, Razdan pass Gugladara, Keran, Machila, Chowkibal, Tanghdar Gulmarg / Khilanmarg and under side risk to the summit sounded Drass and Kargil. 

"The people at the top of these areas were asked to restrict their movement in the snow and do not venture into areas prone to avalanches, said. 

BUND SHIVPORA COURT RESIDENTS CONCERNS 

Court Shivpora lot of I & FC department has caused panic among city residents. 

"Cut the officials of the I & FC has agreed a few days to facilitate the circulation of trucks. God forbid if it rains for a few days, the entire city is submerged by the negligence," he said. 

NO flooding 

The Chief Engineer, irrigation and control floods (I & FC) division, said Ghulam Rasool Zargar Greater Kashmir threat of flooding and flooded only in some areas due to rain. 

"Overwhelmed by rainfall were many areas, but there has been no increase in the level of the river Jhelum," he said. 

However, the sources said the flood threat looms in many low-lying areas. "Several parts of the city and other cities flooded by torrential rains and several villages of Sonawari Bandipora can dip any time," sources said. 

The Coordinator of Disaster Management Cell, Aamir Ali, ruled the possibility to warn the authorities about the compatibility of a flood. 

"We addressed the respective deputy commissioners precaution in case of threat of flooding. It can be flash flooding in some areas, but the situation under control right now," he said.

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