Weather Update: MeT Forecasts Dry Weather For This Week.

Following heavy snowfall in the valley, The Meteorological Department (MeT) Sunday said that weather will now remain dry till January 16th.

A brief spell of snowfall and rain may occur at scattered places mainly during the next 24 to 48hrs.

In the latest weather advisory, Director MeT, Sonam Lotus said they are expecting light snow and rain at scattered places of J&K, especially over eastern parts during the next 24 to 48 hours.

“After that weather is likely to remain dry till January 16th while there will be a gradual rise in day temperature and fall in minimum temperatures during the night,” he said.

Lotus said there is still a threat of avalanches in snowbound areas. He urged people not to venture out unnecessary in these areas and remain cautious during the next 1-2 days.

Owing to cloudy cover, Srinagar city recorded a low of 0.3 degrees Celsius on Sunday night.

Ski resort Gulmarg in Baramulla settled at minus 10.0 degrees Celsius and was the coldest place in Kashmir.

Pahalgam recorded minus 1.8 degrees Celsius, while Qazigund settled at minus 0.4°C.

In Kupwara the minimum temperature recorded was minus 0.5°C, while in Kokernag it was minus 2.3°C.

While Srinagar-Jammu highway remained closed for the third day on Sunday owing to heavy snowfall and multiple landslides in Ramban district even as the road clearance agencies speeded up the restoration work amid improvement in the weather, officials said.

Deputy Commissioner Ramban said landslides and mud slush were cleared at Maroge, near Ramban.

Efforts are on to clear it quickly, so that traffic will be resumed on the highway, he added.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic (National Highway), Shabir Ahmad Malik said that debris is being cleared from the highway at multiple places.

At some places, the continuous shooting stones have hampered restoration work. Work to restore the damaged steel tunnels at Panthiyal and Magerkote is underway, he said.