Despite storm warning, Valley sees little snowfall in two days

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 20

Despite a forecast of heavy snowfall leading to a possibility of widespread disruptions, the Kashmir valley has witnessed little precipitation in the last two days.

The Indian meteorological department, however, continued to warn that “intense western disturbances” are likely to cause heavy to very heavy snowfall during the next two days at isolated places in the state.

The Valley received light to moderate snowfall overnight while the weather remained dry at most places in the region on the second day of the snow spell on Sunday.

Sonam Lotus, director of Srinagar Meteorological Centre, said the precipitation so far had been lower than expected. “The (storm) system is still developing. We are expecting rain and snow tonight and peak activity tomorrow,” he added.

Srinagar city and most parts of south Kashmir have received light intensity snowfall during this spell, which is the seventh of the ongoing winter that has witnessed abundant precipitation and freezing climatic conditions. North Kashmir has been an exception as several areas received heavy snowfall.

Lotus said theere was possibility of more rain and snow and weather would improve only after Wednesday.

However, despite the warning of heavy snowfall and suspension of road, rail and air traffic, only partial disruptions have occurred so far, including cancellation and delay of several flights.

The Srinagar-Jammu highway, a major arterial link between the Kashmir valley and rest of the country, has remained open for one-way traffic for the past two days and the decision is taken on a day-to-day basis after assessing the weather conditions.