Snow causes dip in mercury

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 20

After several days of early spring warmth, cold conditions returned to Kashmir on Wednesday as the region received rain and snow which brought down the day temperature significantly.

The rainfall was witnessed across all districts of the Kashmir valley from Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, however, a mix of rain and snow lashed the region, including Srinagar city.

The moderate precipitation came after several sunny days, which had marked the arrival of spring in the region and led to a sharp decrease in the day temperature.

The Indian Meteorological Department, in its daily bulletin, said rain and snow were witnessed at most places in the Valley. It said there was a likely possibility of hailstorms, lightning and gusty winds at isolated places in the state. The precipitation is likely to decrease from Sunday. A bitter winter in Kashmir, which began as early as November, nears an end on a record note of 10 major spells of snowfall and a high volume of precipitation.

The four months of winter in Kashmir have remained bitterly cold as mercury plummeted to record freezing levels in several parts of the region. The amount of precipitation was more than double the average.

Hailstorms likely 

The Indian Meteorological Department, in its daily bulletin, said rain and snow were witnessed at most places in the Valley. It said there was a  likely possibility of hailstorms, lightning and gusty winds at isolated places in the state. The precipitation is likely to decrease from Sunday. A bitter winter in Kashmir, which began as early as November, nears an end on a record note of 10 major spells of snowfall and a high volume of precipitation