WDs to affect J&K till Jan 9 as weatherman predicts snowfall

Wet spell likely to disrupt surface, air traffic; Sonamarg-Zojilla road remains closed, say MeT officials

SRINAGAR: Amid cloudy weather conditions, the weatherman here has predicted light to moderate snowfall in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh parts till January 09.

Kashmir parts received fresh snowfall today, bringing down the temperature further across Kashmir. The officials from the Meteorological Department (MeT) said that there is a possibility of light to moderate snowfall in J&K and Ladakh till January 09, 2022.

As per the advisory, two successive Western Disturbances are most likely to affect J&K and Ladakh from January 03 a late night to January 09.

The main activity would be on January 05 and January 08, it said, adding that the system is likely to cause heavy rain/snow in Pirpanjal range of Jammu division (from Bhaderwah to Banihal), upper reaches of Kashmir (Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Baramulla and Kupwara and Drass subdivision of Ladakh Union Territory).

The advisory maintained that the fresh snowfall would disrupt surface and air transport, including Srinagar-Jammu highway, the only road connecting Valley with the rest of the States.

There is the possibility of avalanches and landslides in vulnerable areas and also disruption of power in hilly areas as well, it said, appealing to people not to venture out in sloppy areas during snowfall.

Meanwhile, authorities closed Sonamarg-Zojjila road was after the upper reaches of Zojila in the Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir received fresh snowfall.

Reports said that Sonamarg, Menimarg and Drass areas received fresh snowfall on Sunday evening. Traffic officials said that keeping in view slippery conditions and fresh snowfall, Sonamarg-Zojjila road has been closed as a precautionary measure. “The traffic was temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure to avoid any incident,” he said.

The Beacon officials said that men and machinery were pressed into the services to clear the road. Moreover, officials said that the road would remain closed for traffic tomorrow for maintenance—(KNO)