3 Western Disturbances approaching J&K, weather to remain erratic till March 20
Srinagar: Rain and snowfall are likely across Jammu and Kashmir from March 15 as a series of Western Disturbances are set to affect the region over the next few days, the India Meteorological Department said on Saturday.
Reports said that Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has predicted that erratic weather conditions will continue till March 20, with intermittent rain in plains and snowfall in higher reaches.
The first Western Disturbance is expected to influence the region from March 15, bringing light to moderate rain and snowfall at many places on March 15 and 16.
Higher altitude areas such as Gulmarg and Sonamarg are likely to receive fresh snowfall, while some mountain passes may record snowfall ranging from about six inches to nearly two feet during the 48-hour period.
Officials said daytime temperatures are likely to fall from the afternoon of March 15 and may remain 5 to 8 degrees Celsius below normal on March 16.
Two more western disturbances are expected to affect the region from late evening of March 17 to March 20, bringing intermittent spells of rain or snowfall at several places.
Weather conditions are likely to remain mostly dry between March 21 and 23, while scattered rain or snowfall in higher reaches may occur again on March 24 and 25, officials said.
The department has advised travellers and transporters, especially those moving through higher reaches and mountain passes, to plan their travel accordingly.
“Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are also possible at a few places during March 15 and 16. Farmers have been advised to suspend farm operations between March 15 and March 20,” the MeT said.
Temperature data released by the weather office on Saturday stated that Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 19.4 degrees Celsius, about four degrees above normal, while Jammu recorded 29.7 degrees Celsius, around four degrees above normal.
The minimum temperature settled at 4.4 degrees Celsius in Srinagar, while Gulmarg recorded minus 0.6 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, an independent weather monitoring group, Kashmir Weather, said three western disturbances are expected to impact Jammu and Kashmir in quick succession from March 15.
“Widespread rain and snowfall activity is expected on March 15 and 16, with higher reaches likely to receive fresh snowfall. Two more Western Disturbances may bring intermittent showers from March 17 to March 20 with breaks between spells,” it said in its update
The SIT members include SSP Sanjay Sharma, SP Headquarters Irshad Hussain Rather, DySP Arvind Kumar Sambyal, Inspector Saroop Singh, Inspector Paramjeet Singh, Inspector Sanjeev Chib (SHO Gangyal) and Inspector Shariq Majeed.
The order further states that the SIT must complete the investigation promptly and thoroughly while adhering to the statutory timeframe.
Pertinently, the assassination attempt took place earlier this week when Abdullah was attending a wedding function in the Greater Kailash area of Jammu. As he was leaving the venue, a man approached him and allegedly attempted to fire from close range using a pistol. However, the attempt was foiled as security personnel reacted swiftly and overpowered the attacker. The former chief minister escaped unhurt due to the quick response of his security staff and commandos present at the venue.
Police identified the accused as a 63-year-old man from Jammu, who was immediately taken into custody following the incident. During preliminary questioning, the accused claimed that he had been harbouring a personal grudge against Abdullah for many years and had been planning the attack for a long time.
They added that the weapon used in the attack was reportedly a licensed firearm
