Srinagar’s chill deepened on Tuesday as Gulmarg ski resort logged a biting minimum of -5.5°C, signaling the onset of a major weather shift in Jammu and Kashmir. The Meteorological Department has issued a stark advisory, forecasting light to heavy rain and snowfall from the evening of January 22 through January 28.
Across the region, temperatures plummeted overnight. Srinagar city recorded -3.4°C, Pahalgam -4.4°C, and Gulmarg the lowest at -5.5°C. In the Jammu division, Jammu and Katra hovered around 7.4°C, while Banihal dipped to -1.6°C, Bhadarwah to -1.2°C, and Batote to 2.5°C.
Two successive Western Disturbances, those extratropical storms brewing over the Mediterranean, are set to barrel into the union territory. These systems promise dramatic changes, bringing bouts of precipitation that could blanket higher reaches in snow and drench lower areas in rain.
Travelers beware: surface and air transport face severe disruptions, especially along the vital Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and other key routes. Landslides, mudslides, and gusts whipping up to 40-60 km/h are on the cards, turning mountain passes into hazardous traps.
Authorities urge passengers, tourists, and transporters to recalibrate plans with utmost caution. Locals in snowy zones should steer clear of slopes prone to avalanches. Farmers, hold off on irrigation, fertilization, or chemical sprays during the wet spell.
These Western Disturbances are winter’s lifeline for the northwest Indian subcontinent, fueling rabi crops across India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. While they deliver essential moisture, their fury demands respect and preparation in J&K’s vulnerable terrains.