Avalanche warning issued | Rainfall brings relief, scare | | Muhammad Mukaram
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Mar: 12: After a long and unanticipated dry spell in the valley during the harshest period of Chillai-Kalan, Kashmir witnessed fresh incessant rainfall from Friday morning. The downpour brought minimum temperature down across the valley as people heaved a sigh relief. The weather department had predicted moderate to heavy downpour for the next three days and urged people to exercise caution. Fresh rains are expected to continue till March 14 while as snowfall is also expected in higher reaches of the valley. Meteorological department has also suggested a steep decline in the minimum and maximum temperatures due to the precipitation. Meanwhile, the state administration has directed several concerned officials to remain alert in case of any eventuality. The officials of state municipality have also been directed to be ready in view of the precipitation and carry out dewatering of water logged areas. An avalanche warning was issued for higher altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir and people were advised not to venture out unnecessarily in these areas for next 48 hours. The advisory was issued by the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Medium danger avalanche warning was issued for areas above 3,000 metres in Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Kargil, Shopian, Anantnag, Kulgam, Rajouri, Doda and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Pertinently, Kashmir recorded the hottest day this year in February in last 75 years at 20.6 degrees Celsius which, according to MeT, is more than 10 degrees above usual temperature. Further, winters in Kashmir plains went without snowfall even during the harshest winter period, Chillai Kalan. The agricultural production and water reservoirs are also expected to get affected |
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