Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 15
Rain swept across Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, while snowfall continued in higher-altitude areas for a third consecutive day, bringing temperatures below seasonal averages and disrupting traffic on some mountain roads.
Intense showers and hail triggered a flash flood-like situation in the Mendhar area of Poonch district, while snowfall affected the Mughal Road near Peer Ki Gali, officials and local residents said.
Authorities cleared the affected stretch of the Mughal Road and restored traffic. The Anantnag-Sinthan Top-Kishtwar highway remained open despite light snowfall at Sinthan Pass, although travellers were advised to exercise caution.
Snowfall at Margan Top affected traffic on the Anantnag-Larnoo-Margan Top road, which connects the Warwan and Marwah valleys.
Udhampur recorded the highest rainfall in the Jammu region at 59.6 mm, followed by Poonch with 39.5 mm, Samba with 34 mm and Jammu city with 29.4 mm, according to weather data.
Katra received 23.1 mm, Reasi 19.1 mm, Bhaderwah 18 mm, Ramban 17 mm, Batote 12.4 mm, Banihal 11.5 mm and Rajouri 6.4 mm.
In Kashmir, Shopian recorded the highest rainfall at 34 mm, followed by Baramulla with 29 mm, Kupwara with 26.2 mm, Kokernag with 26 mm and Qazigund with 23.6 mm.
Gulmarg received 20.4 mm, Bandipora 20 mm, Kulgam 18 mm, Pahalgam 16.8 mm, Srinagar 16.4 mm, Anantnag 16 mm and Sonamarg 15 mm. Rainfall was also reported in other parts of the Valley.
Fresh light snowfall was reported in Sonamarg, the upper reaches of Gulmarg and Pahalgam, Machil, Sadhna Top, Keran and Bangus Valley in Kupwara district, and Razdan Pass, Gurez and Tulail in Bandipora district.
Snowfall was also reported along the Zojila axis, in the Warwan and Marwa valleys of Kishtwar district and in higher reaches of the Pir Panjal range. Some high-altitude areas received between two and four inches of snow daily over the past three days.
The wet weather kept temperatures below seasonal averages across the region.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 17.4 degrees Celsius, 5.4 degrees below normal, while Jammu recorded 28 degrees Celsius, 3.1 degrees below normal.
In Kashmir, maximum temperatures included 15 degrees Celsius in Qazigund, 13.4 in Pahalgam, 14.8 in Kupwara, 14.2 in Kokernag and 6.6 in Gulmarg.
Banihal recorded 16 degrees Celsius, Batote 12.9, Katra 25.2 and Bhaderwah 13.4 in the Jammu region.
Higher-altitude areas of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban in the Chenab Valley, as well as Poonch, Rajouri and Kathua, also experienced colder conditions.
Fresh snowfall on Thursday covered Peer Ki Gali along the historic Mughal Road, with residents reporting around three to four inches of snow.
Located at an altitude of about 3,490 metres between Poshana and Heerpora villages, the mountain pass connects south Kashmir’s Shopian district with Poonch and Rajouri in the Jammu region.
Residents of Heerpora said the snowfall had brought a sharp drop in temperatures, with cold conditions prevailing for two days. Vehicular movement was halted for several hours before traffic resumed, they said.
The Mughal Road and nearby destinations, including Dubijan and Sukh Sarai, have attracted visitors seeking snow-covered landscapes, particularly in years when snowfall at more established tourist destinations has been limited.
Javed Ahmad, a resident of Shopian, said tourists had increasingly visited lesser-known destinations along the route in recent years but called for greater government efforts to promote the area.
The administration has organised winter carnivals in recent years to showcase local culture, traditional food and the region’s natural attractions. Tourism provides an additional source of income for communities along the route, particularly during snowfall.
The Meteorological Department forecast rain and gusty winds across Jammu and Kashmir until late Thursday evening, with isolated hailstorms and light snowfall possible in higher-altitude areas.
Weather conditions were expected to improve on October 16, with generally dry conditions forecast through October 24, apart from brief spells of light rain at isolated locations, the department said.
Light snowfall remained possible over mountain passes and roads in the Jammu region.
Authorities advised travellers and transporters to plan their journeys according to weather and road conditions. Farmers were also urged to store harvested apples, paddy and other crops safely ahead of the forecast adverse weather.
