Srinagar, Mar 15: Several higher altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed fresh snowfall on Sunday, while many plains experienced rainfall, affecting road connectivity in parts of the Union Territory, officials said.
According to officials, snowfall was reported from a number of mountainous locations including Peer Ki Gali, Sinthan Top, Gulmarg, Doodhpathri, Gurez Valley, Sadhna Top and the Sonamarg–Zojila corridor.
Due to accumulation of snow and slippery road conditions, authorities have temporarily closed the Gurez–Bandipora road and the Mughal Road, which serves as an important link between the Kashmir Valley and the Pir Panjal region.
Meanwhile, several districts across Kashmir division and some areas of Jammu division recorded rainfall during the day, officials from the Meteorological Department said.
The weather department has predicted that unstable weather conditions are likely to persist across Jammu and Kashmir until March 20. Light to moderate rain in the plains and snowfall over higher reaches is expected at many places until the forenoon of March 16, the MeT office said.
On March 17, the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy, with the possibility of brief spells of light rain or snowfall at isolated higher altitude locations.
Between March 18 and March 20, the department has forecast generally cloudy conditions with intermittent rain and snowfall at several places, particularly during night and early morning hours.
Weather conditions are expected to improve afterwards, with mostly dry weather likely from March 21 to March 23. However, scattered locations in higher reaches may again receive light rain or snowfall around March 24 and 25, officials added.
The MeT department has advised travellers and transporters, especially those crossing mountain passes and higher altitude routes, to plan their journeys carefully in view of the prevailing weather.
It has also warned of thunderstorms and gusty winds with speeds of 40–50 kmph at a few places during March 15–16 and again from March 18–20. Farmers have been advised to temporarily suspend agricultural activities during this period due to the expected adverse weather conditions.
