A milkman rides his bicycle in the backdrop of snow-capped mountains of the Pir Panjal range that received rare snowfall on Saturday. KO Photo, Abid Bhat
Srinagar- After reeling under intense heat for over a week, Kashmir Valley was treated with a pleasant surprise on Saturday as the higher reaches received rare snowfall and the plains a bout of heavy rainfall.
The fresh spell of rain and snowfall in the upper regions, especially the famous tourist resort of Gulmarg and Ganderbal in Central Kashmir has also led to a drop in the temperature across the Valley. Light snowfall was also reported from around the Amarnath cave including Panjtarni. The Amarnath cave area recorded 1 to 2 inches of snow accumulation.
However, the officials from the weather department termed the fresh snowfall as a “rare” meteorological event but “not unusual”.
Mukhtar Ahmed, Deputy Director of India Meteorological Department (IMD) office in Srinagar told Kashmir Observer that the rare snow was recorded in higher reaches of Gulmarg, Shopian, Pahalgam and Ganderbal.
“Snow in June in the upper parts of the valley is obviously a rare event but that doesn’t mean it’s unusual. It has happened in the past and quite certainly, will happen in future as well,” Ahmed said, adding “We’ve received reports of snowfall from Gulmarg’s apharwat, Shopian and in the adjacent areas of Holy cave,”
He further added that whenever it rains for a few days in Kashmir and temperature goes down, there is a possibility of snowfall in upper areas of the valley.
“Weather has already started to improve but there are still chances of a light to moderate rain with low chances of snow in the higher regions to continue in the next few days across Kashmir,” Ahmed said.
He further added that the erratic weather will continue till 22 June. “There will be an overall improvement in weather from Wednesday noon,’’ he said.
Pertinently, in view of the forecast, the meteorological department has also asked farmers to avoid spray in orchards till June 22. “Rain may lead to shooting stones in vulnerable areas. People should plan their trips accordingly,” said MeT Deputy Director.
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