Heavy downpour, snowfall bring chill back to Kashmir

By: Rehan Qayoom Mir

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir witnessed intermittent but heavy rainfall since last night bringing the mercury down across the Valley.

The higher reaches experienced fresh snowfall while the hailstorm continued to wreak havoc for the second straight day in South Kashmir.

The local Meteorological department (MeT) had issued yellow and orange alerts for the day, thereby warning of light to moderate snowfall and rains in Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the reports received by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir including Sithan Top, Tulail and other areas experienced fresh snowfall.

The plains including Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, were lashed by the intermittent heavy rainfall. The hailstorm, however, continued to wreak havoc in multiple areas of Kulgam and Shopian districts of southern Kashmir, causing extensive damage to the fruit growers and orchardists.

Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told KNO that the moderate rain with intense showers accompanied with moderate to severe thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds are expected at many places of J&K till midnight.

He also advised people to stay indoors, safe shelters & stay away from water bodies, loose structures & landslide prone areas.

The fresh spell of rains have once again recharged the water bodies including the lifeline of Kashmir—river Jhelum, which was flowing below normal maximum of times in the past six months.

According to KNO, the MeT has issued yellow alerts for the next two days till April 21, 2025.

As per the forecast, the weatherman has stated that light to moderate rain and snow (higher reaches) is expected at most places while there is a possibility of moderate to heavy rain and snow at isolated to scattered places till 20th late evening.

On 21st April, he said that the weather would remain generally cloudy with possibility of light rain and thunder at scattered places, adding that from April 22 to 28, the weather would remain generally dry with cloudiness towards April 25.

In its advisory, the MeT department has stated that all concerned are advised to plan accordingly & follow administration and traffic advisory.

The farmers have been advised to suspend farm operations till 21st April, it reads, adding that there is a possibility of moderate to heavy rain and snow over isolated to scattered places of J&K during 19 April.

There is a possibility of landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at vulnerable places, the advisory reads and appealed people to stay inside and safe places during thunder and lightning. —(KNO)