Kashmir Wednesday received light rainfall after sixty six days dry spell while upper reaches received snowfall.
In Srinagar, rains along with gusty winds started around mid-night, bringing cheer on the faces of people. However, the rainfall was of short duration.
Deputy director meteorological department Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Kashmir Post that only 2.2 mm rainfall was recorded in Srinagar.
“It is a temporally relief and not an end of the dry spell. There are no reports of water rise in water bodies. Except Kargil and Leh, rainfall occurred across the state,” he said.
He added that the rainfall has brought temporary relief from the black carbon which was above the normal in air due to continuous dry spell from September 10.
“The data reveals there were lot of pollutants in the air which gives rise to ailments like cough and common cold. Black carbon was also recorded at the alarming level,” he informed.
He said that as no rains were recorded since September 10, “It caused increase in the air pollution. From September to November, Kashmir should have received 96 mm rainfall. But against this figure, we have received just 2.2 mm rainfall today.”
Mughal road was temporarily closed for traffic after fresh snowfall. “Machinery is on job and we expect that road will be cleared for traffic,” said a senior police officer.
Traffic was restored partially on the 434-kilometre Srinagar-Leh highway after being suspended due to fresh snowfall on Zojila Pass on Wednesday.
Twin health resorts Sonamarg and Naranag in Ganderbal district received season’s first snowfall.
MeT spokesperson said that upper reaches in Gulmarg received three inches of fresh snowfall.
He informed that the minimum temperature at most of the places across the Kashmir, except Gulmarg, stayed above the freezing point.
He said Srinagar registered the minimum temperature of 2.2 degrees Celsius.
“Light to moderate rains are likely to occur within next 24 hours,” he said.
Light Rain, Snow brings cheers in chenab valley
The four-month long dry spell in entire Chenab Valley, reportedly the longest in six decades, ended on Wednesday as high altitude areas, including Padri, experienced light snowfall while most of the plains were lashed by scattered spells of rains since afternoon.
Reports of snowfall were received from upper reaches of Chenab region including Kainthi Dhar, Braid Bal, Nehaard, Bisakhu, Bhall Padri, Nargadi, Chilli Pingal and Dagan Top.
