Rain lash Kashmir, more wet weather predicted

Srinagar, Apr 4: Life was thrown out of gear as rain lashed Kashmir valley, including summer capital, Srinagar, since this morning though the minimum temperature remained above normal.
A Met department spokesman issued a weather warning that an active Western Disturbance (WD) is likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir from today till April 6.
There is possibility of landslides, snow avalanche in vulnerable areas like Srinagar-Jammu and Srinagar-Leh, particularly Zojila pass on the highway.
Due to overcast sky the minimum temperature witnessed further increase in the Kashmir valley and Ladakh region, where the night temperature remained below freezing point in border town of Kargil.
Life was affected due to rain since this morning in Srinagar, where sweaters  and other warm cloth were again out after bright sunshine yesterday when the maximum temperature was 24 degrees, six notches above normal.
However, students, including lower classes, in majority educational institutions, particularly private, were seen wearing summer uniform.
The minimum temperature in the city witnessed surge and settled at 11.2 degrees, five notches above normal.
Light rain-thundershowers would occur and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 15 degree and 7 degrees respectively during the next 24 hours.
Despite 4.8 mm rain, the , minimum temperature recorded increase at world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, where slopes are still under several feet of white powder. Against yesterdays 0.6 degree, it was 1.2 degree against normal of 0 degree, he said.
Kupwara in north Kashmir, where dozens of far flung and remote villages, including Line of Control (LoC), remained cut off from their respective district headquarter, recorded highest 8.2 mm rain during the past 24 hours. However, the minimum temperature was still  8 degree, three notches above normal.
There was slight improvement in the minimum temperature at famed health resort of Pahalgam, which serves as base camp during annual Amarnath pilgrimage in summer. Against yesterdays 5.4 degree,it was 5.6 degree, about four notches above normal.
Qazigund, the gateway of Kashmir on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the minimum temperature witnessed about five notch surge. Against yesterdays 5.6 degree night temperature, it was 10.2 degree.
At tourist resort of Kokernag thee minimum temperature was 9.8 degree, eight notches above normal.
However, at Leh in Ladakh region, which remained cut from Kashmir since December last year, the minimum temperature witnessed more than three notches drop. Against yesterdays 3.5 degree, it was 0.1 degree.
There would be light rain thundershowers and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 11 degree and 2 degree respectively at Leh during the next 24 hours.
Though there was about two degree above normal in the minimum temperature it was still sub zero at Kargil. Against yesterdays minus 2.9 degree, it was minus 1.2 degree, he said.