Jammu: After a long dry spell, many parts of Jammu and Kashmir received heavy snowfall brought cheer to the people and the farmers in the region.
Most parts of the Kashmir and Jammu region, mainly plains, received snowfall as winter’s harshest period “Chillai Kalan” went snowless and registered as driest winter spell ever.
The precipitation has ended the prolonged dry spell in the region, raising hopes for a productive agricultural season ahead. Experts had previously warned that the extended dry weather, with no rain or snow, was a cause for concern among fruit growers and farmers.
The lack of soil moisture was expected to negatively impact both the quality and yield of fruits, particularly apples, in the upcoming season.
According to the India Metrological department, due to active Western Disturbance, heavy to very heavy rainfall and snowfall likely over Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh.
“It is also likely to cause scattered to fairly widespread light and moderate rainfall with isolated heavy falls over plains of northwest India 28th February”
Popular destinations Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam were blanketed in fresh snow, while Razdan Top, Gurez (Bandipora), Sadhna Top, Handwara, Kupwara (North Kashmir), Mughal Road (Shopian), Zojila Pass, Sinthan Top, and Amarnath Cave also witnessed heavy snowfall.
The IMD forecasts light to moderate rain or snow across most areas until Friday noon, with isolated heavy falls expected in higher regions. Weather conditions are likely to improve post-Friday
Meanwhile, the inclement weather in the Kashmir Valley on Friday morning disrupted the national highway, air travel, and rail connectivity.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was blocked due to snow accumulation between Ramsoo and Qazigund, while shooting stones, landslides, and mudslides between Nashri and the NAVYUG Tunnel have further exacerbated the situation.
The Batote-Doda road is also closed following a landslide at Ragi Nalla. Several other including the SSG Road, Bhaderwah-Chamba Road, Mughal Road, and Sinthan Road, remain shut.
The bad weather has disrupted air and rail travel in Kashmir, causing delays in all morning flights at Srinagar International Airport.
Train services have been partially affected, with the Budgam-Banihal section operating on schedule, while the Baramulla section remains late on schedule due to heavy snow accumulation.
In Ladakh, heavy snowfall during the past twenty four hours has ended long spell of dry weather in Leh district.
After light snowfall in the first week of January in Leh district, this is the major snowfall in the early Spring Season in the region.
It has brought a smile to the people of Ladakh which is reeling water scarcity due to the decline of the frequency of snowfall caused by climate change.
Snow, which is the only source of water in Ladakh, became glaciers in the mountains and the glacier melt water is used for all water needs including irrigation for agricultural purposes.
People of various faiths have been invoking and Praying Gods for timely snowfall to become white winter to make Green Summer for good crops.
Meanwhile, due to Snowfall the scheduled flights for today has been cancelled from Leh airport. Road transportation has also affected due to blockage of roads caused by huge accumulation of snowfall at high passes.
