Even as parts of Kashmir valley witnessed a sunny Sunday after a wet spell, the Meteorological Department has predicted another round of snow and rainfall from Tuesday evening. Sonum Lotus, Director of Meteorological Department, said the wet spell would last for three days and was likely to cause landslides on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway. The highway, Valley’s only surface link to the rest of the country, has been witnessing frequent landslides for the past five months due to inclement weather, forcing suspension of vehicular traffic. “A fresh spell of intermittent light to moderate rain in plains and snowfall in higher reaches of J&K and Zojila, Drass and some areas of Zanskar region of Ladakh is most likely during March 31 (night) to April 2 (forenoon). As usual, it may lead to landslides in Banihal-Ramban axis of Jammu -Srinagar National Highway,” said Lotus. The weatherman also advised farmers and orchardists to put off spraying activities. “Thunderstorm, with strong gusty winds of the order of 30-40 KMPH, is also likely during the above period. In view of this, farmers are informed to postpone spraying of their orchards and prepare drainage to drain excess water from their fields,” he maintained. Though the spring season has set in, the Valley continues to witness cold nights. South Kashmir tourist resort Pahalgam recorded 1.2°C minimum temperature while ski resort Gulmarg in North Kashmir saw a low of minus 4°C. Minimum temperature in Srinagar was 5.8°C, as per an official of the Meteorological Department.
