Only scattered rain predicted in J&K as WD carry less moisture, no improvement in water level

Srinagar, Nov 16: Even though the Western Disturbance (WD), with very less moisture, was still active in the region, there was no chance of heavy rain or snowfall during the next 48 hours  in the Jammu and Kashmir where Leh remained coldest at minus 5.9 degree while it was minus 4.5 degree minimum temperature at world famous ski resort of Gulmarg. Despite snow on higher reaches and rain in the plains, there was no change in the water level in the water bodies, which remained lowest in several decades in the valley, where people are facing water and power shortage. The WD, originating in Arabia sea and entering the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan, had caused snowfall on higher reaches while plains, including Srinagar recorded light rainfall, partially ending the long dry season. However, there was no change in the water level in river Jehlum and its tributaries besides Asia’s one of the largest sweet water lake “ Wullar” which remained lowest in several decades, affecting water and power generation in local projects.   As the WD carrying very less moisture, there could be just light rain or snow at scattered places in the Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours, a Met department spokesman told UNI this afternoon. There could be light to scattered rain or snow during the subsequent two days in the state, he added adding the weather will turn dry from November 19.After the open sky during the night which resulted in drop in the minimum temperature, sun greeted people in the Kashmir valley on Thursday morning though icy cold winds continued.     World famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in the north Kashmir recorded 1.5 degree drop in the minimum temperature after Affarwat and other heights received snowfall during the intervening night of November 14 and 15. The ski slopes there still awaits major snowfall to attract skiers and adventure lovers from different parts of the country and abroad. The ski resort recorded coldest night after the mercury dropped to minus 4.5 degree against yesterdays minus 3 degree.     People in summer capital, Srinagar, woke up to yet another dry and sunny morning as rain still eludes with the result there was no change in the water level in river Jehlum and other water bodies which remained lowest in several decades.

Because of open sky the night temperature again recording drop in the city, where even metered areas also face five to seven hours scheduled and unscheduled power cuts daily. Against yesterdays 2.2 degree minimum temperature in Srinagar, it was 1.1 degree on Thursday, Met spokesman said.He said the sky would be partly cloudy and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 16 degree and one degree respectively in the city during the next 24 hours.Famed health resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir also recorded slight drop in the mercury after higher reaches received snowfall during the past 24 hours. The maximum temperature elsewhere in the valley also recorded drop.People continued to shiver in Ladakh region, where the minimum temperature was between minus 5 degree to minus 15 degree, particularly near the Line of Control (LoC), where security forces remained deployed to foil any infiltration attempt from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).Met spokesman said the night temperature at Leh was minus 5.9 degree against yesterdays minus 6.3 degree, which coldest so far. He said the mercury will drop further at Leh during the next 24 hours due to dry weather. The sky would be partly cloudy and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 13  degree and minus 7 degree respectively at Leh during the next 24 hours.At border  town of Kargil on Srinagar-Leh national highway, the minimum temperature remained unchanged at  minus 5.2 degree.UNI