Heavy rain, snowfall in Kashmir, IMD issues alert for next two days
Jammu and Kashmir started receiving heavy rain and snowfall since Friday night. The weather department has issued an advisory for the Union Territory for October 23 and 24.
Jammu and Kashmir has been receiving heavy rain since Friday night, while snowfall also started in the upper reaches of valley. The weather department has issued a high alert for Saturday and Sunday just as the Union Territory is set to welcome Union Home Minister Amit Shah on his three-day visit.
Parts of central and south Kashmir continues to receive moderate to heavy rainfall. Srinagar city and other plains of the valley have received heavy rainfall since Friday night.
Meanwhile, some places in upper reaches of the valley have recorded more than one ft of snowfall. Moderate snowfall was witnessed in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Shopian and Gurez areas of the valley, while light snowfall was witnessed in Shopian town and Pahalgam recorded its first snow of the season.
Jammu and Kashmir | Pahalgam covered in first snow of the season pic.twitter.com/ygiT9UlOmj — ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2021
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier predicted heavy rainfall or snowfall for Jammu and Kashmir on October 23.
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"A great western disturbance is coming which will specifically affect the western Himalayan region. So, we are expecting snowfall activity will be increased in the western Himalayan region. We are expecting heavy rainfall or heavy snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir on October 23," IMD senior scientist Naresh Kumar was quoted as saying by ANI.
On Saturday, water level increased in most rivers of Jammua and Kahmir after the valley was lashed by heavy rains.
Due to the adverse weather conditions, a number of highways have been closed in the valley on Saturday. The Ladakh-Srinagar highway was closed due to snowfall, while the Jammu-Srinagar highway was closed due to landslides triggered by heavy rains.
Rain, snowfall disrupts power supply in Kashmir
Power supply has been disrupted in Kashmir due to rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and wind in several areas. In the valley, 33 kv lines reportedly broke down in Ramsoo, Gool, Sangaldan, Dharmari-Pouni line, Chenani line due to heavy snowfall and rain.
Restoration of the line will start soon, according to sources.
According to officials, timely trimming of tree branches by the Power Development department has resulted in minimal disruption of electricity supply.
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