Srinagar: After relatively warmer days this winter, the maximum temperatures are likely to fall below normal amid weatherman’s forecast for moderate to heavy snowfall from tomorrow in Kashmir Valley.
An official of Indian Meteorological Department told INS that temperatures are likely to hover around 6 to 7 degrees Celsius next week.
The Valley has seen relatively warmer days with an average temperature of 14 degrees Celsius this December. Srinagar, the summer capital of the state, recorded a maximum of 16 degree Celsius on December 8, six degrees more than normal during this time of the year. In fact, the meteorological official said that it was equivalent to highest temperature recorded six years ago when Srinagar saw a maximum of 16.2 degrees Celsius on 2 December 2011.
The warmest ever witnessed during the last month of the last year was on 1 December 1901 when temperature shoot up to 18.3 degrees Celsius. In last decade, 1 December 2009 was the warmest day when mercury rose to 16.6 degrees Celsius.
“There will be significant fall in day temperature and slight rise in night temperature in upcoming week,” the official added.
Earlier this week, weatherman issued an advisory for fairly widespread rain and snow in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh for five days beginning December 11.
“A fresh Western Disturbance is most likely affect the state of J&K from 11 to 15 December with moisture feeding taking place from the Arabian Sea. Under the influence of this system, moderate to heavy rain/snow is expected at widespread places of Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh region,” the weatherman said.
This, the weatherman said, will be the first ‘major wet spell’ during the current season for J&K. The weather system may lead to disruption of surface and air transportation like Highway (Srinagar-Leh, Srinagar-Jammu, Mughal Road etc, the official said.
Regarding agriculture, the weatherman said it will bring relief to farmers especially who had sown Rabi crops in plains of Kashmir and Jammu region and overall improvement in soil moisture. “Hence farmers are advised not to irrigate the fields this week,” the official said.
In general warning, the weatherman said that higher reaches of Kashmir, Ladakh and Hilly area of Jammu most are likely to receive moderate to heavy snowfall during the period. The Chief Minister has already alerted the administration to meet an exigency on account of the weather in the state.
