Heavy Rains Lash J&K, Met Department Issues Orange alert, Avalanche Warning

Srinagar: It has rained in the plains, while snowfall is being seen in the higher reaches of Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh, due to which the temperature has come down to normal. Orange alert and avalanche warning have been issued for today in many areas of the UT.

The Meteorological Department has predicted more rain in the plains till April 20 and snowfall in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, mostly during the next 48 hours. For 18 April, the Met Office issued an orange alert for “thunder of heavy rain with lightning”.

There are four types of color codes indicating the level of caution: green which means no action, yellow – the situation is to be monitored, orange – which requires government agencies to be prepared for severe weather and required by administrative agencies red action.

An official of the Meteorological Department said here that there is a possibility of rain and thundershowers at some places. “There is a possibility of light to moderate rain and snowfall in higher reaches during the night of 17-18 April during 18-19 April,” he said.

“During this rain, thunderstorm and hailstorm reaching strong winds (20-30KMPH) are also possible at a few places over Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. Rain.

Gurez area of ​​Bandipora in Kashmir valley, Machil area of ​​Kupwara, Pir Panjal heights in south Kashmir and Amarnath cave area in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district are witnessing snowfall, while plains including Srinagar and other parts are witnessing heavy rain Is. Valley since yesterday evening.

There has been fresh snowfall in the Ladakh Miniway and Zojila area of ​​Kargil, leading to several avalanches on the Srinagar-Leh highway in Zojila during the past two days, trapping several vehicles. Meanwhile, all the trapped people were immediately rescued, some of whom received minor injuries.

After this, as a precaution, the Srinagar-Leh highway has been closed till 20 April. Bandipora-Gurez, Machil-Kupwara and Sinthan-Kishtwar roads have also been closed due to fresh snowfall in these areas.

Following a change in the current weather system, the Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) has issued an avalanche warning for high-altitude areas in five districts for the next 24 hours.

JKDMA said there is a possibility of ‘low’ danger avalanches in Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri and Ganderbal districts at 2800 to 3500 meters above sea level. During this, people living in these areas have been advised to take precautions and avoid going to avalanche prone areas till further orders.