Heavy Snowfall and Rain Disrupt Life in Kashmir, More Snow Expected

December 29, 2024
Snowfall and Rain Disrupt Life in Kashmir

Kashmir continues to face disruptions caused by heavy snowfall and rain, with the Meteorological Department predicting cold and dry weather for the next 72 hours in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mukhtar Ahmad, the Director of the local Meteorological Department, shared with IANS that two Western Disturbances (WDs) are expected to influence the region’s weather on January 1 and January 3. “The first disturbance will likely be weak, but the second one may bring moderate snowfall in the Kashmir Valley and rain or snow in the Jammu region,” he explained.

Western Disturbances are extratropical storms originating in the Mediterranean Sea that bring snowfall and rain to South Asia, including India, Pakistan, and Nepal. These weather patterns are crucial for Rabi crops, as adequate snow and rainfall ensure a strong harvest.

Recent snowfall has slightly improved the minimum temperatures in Srinagar, which recorded minus 0.2°C. Other locations reported even colder conditions: Gulmarg at minus 8.5°C and Pahalgam at minus 8°C. In Jammu, the lowest temperatures were recorded at 6.1°C in Jammu city, 5°C in Katra, minus 2°C in Batote, 0.8°C in Banihal, and minus 5°C in Bhaderwah.

Despite snow clearance efforts, roads and highways remain hazardous due to frozen layers of snow, severely impacting traffic. On Sunday morning, many residents stayed indoors to avoid accidents on icy surfaces. Slippery conditions on streets and pedestrian pathways have led to an increase in injuries, particularly fractures, resulting in a surge of patients at Srinagar’s bone and Joint Hospital in Barzalla.

Meanwhile, health experts have warned of winter-related risks to heart health. Doctors at the cardiology department of Srinagar Medical College have advised vulnerable groups, especially older individuals, to avoid prolonged exposure to extreme cold, which can increase the likelihood of heart attacks and heart failure.

This challenging weather recalls the resilience needed to endure harsh winters, much like Shakespeare’s reference to surviving the “Ides of March.” As temperatures begin to rise after March, those who have weathered the difficult months are seen as having endured the hardships of winter.

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