Seventh snow spell begins in Kashmir

Srinagar, January 19

Fresh snowfall at most places in the Kashmir valley overnight marked the beginning of winter’s seventh spell of precipitation which is expected to last for at least four more days.

The snowfall of varying intensity overnight was received at most places in the Valley, including in Srinagar city. However, there was a pause in precipitation during the day even as the weather department has forecast heavy snowfall at isolated places in the region. The bad weather conditions forced cancellation and delay in flight services. A private airline announced suspension of its traffic from Srinagar International Airport for the next four days.

The snowfall is the beginning of a seventh such spell during the ongoing winter which has witnessed abundant precipitation and freezing climatic conditions.

In its forecast bulletin, the Indian Meteorological Department said an “intense western disturbance along with induced cyclonic circulation is very likely to continue to affect the Western Himalayan region during the next four days”.

“Under its influence, widespread rain and snow (is) very likely over the Western Himalayan region during the same period with isolated heavy to very heavy snowfall from January 19 to 22 over Jammu and Kashmir,” it said. — TNS