Fresh snow spell likely in Valley from tomorrow

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 17

The meteorological department has predicted another spell of moderate to heavy snowfall in the Kashmir region from Saturday onwards.

With the western disturbances likely to affect the region, the officials have also warned of disruption of road, rail and air traffic from Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, the weather in Srinagar on Thursday witnessed an improvement after the region witnessed a bout of snow on Wednesday.

“The western disturbances are most likely to affect the state and its adjoining areas from January 19 to 25, with the main activity between January 20 and 23 and gradual decrease thereafter,” Sonam Lotus, director, Srinagar Meteorological Centre, said in a statement on Thursday.

He said moderate to heavy snowfall and rain was expected at widespread places of the Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions.

“Some places may receive very heavy rain and snow during this period,” he said, adding that light snowfall would begin at a few places in Kashmir on Saturday morning and increase in intensity and distribution thereafter.

Besides there is also a general warning that “heavy precipitation may cause avalanches in higher reaches and lead to landslides and waterlogging in low-lying areas”.

Kashmir is currently under the grip of “chillai kalan”, the 40-day harshest winter periodwhen the chances of snowfall are most frequent and the temperature drops considerably.

Flight operations resume at Srinagar airport

A day after Kashmir witnessed a bout of snow, the minimum temperature at most places of the region on Wednesday night witnessed an improvement, providing much-needed relief to the residents. Besides, to-and-fro flight operations from the Srinagar International Airport also resumed on Thursday after remaining suspended for a day.