Rain & Snow Continue Today; Brief Improvement, Fresh Spell from April 7

Moderate to heavy rain showers have affected Jammu & Kashmir over the past 24 hours, while upper reaches received heavy snowfall. Skies will remain mostly cloudy, with more spells of moderate to heavy rain likely at many places till late evening.

Higher altitudes will continue to witness snowfall.

Weather conditions are expected to improve from tomorrow, with a gradual decrease in rainfall. Mainly dry weather is likely from tomorrow late afternoon up to April 7 evening across J&K.

Another fresh Western Disturbance is expected to affect Jammu & Kashmir from the evening of April 7 to April 9, bringing widespread rain and snowfall once again.

Regards: Kashmir Weather Watch

272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway link completed: GoI informs Lok Sabha

Says infrastructure boost enhances connectivity, economy, development in J&K

Srinagar, Apr 03: The 272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla link has been completed as part of a major railway infrastructure expansion under the National Rail Plan, the Government of India informed the Lok Sabha.

In a reply to a starred question, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project is among key railway developments aimed at enhancing connectivity and capacity across the country.

The government said Indian Railways has significantly expanded its network and capacity over the past decade, with a focus on new lines, doubling of tracks and electrification to improve regional connectivity and freight movement.

The completion of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla rail link is expected to strengthen connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir and improve the transportation of passengers and goods in the region.

Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that railway infrastructure projects play a key role in socio-economic development by enabling faster movement of goods, reducing transportation costs and improving logistics efficiency.

“Such projects also generate employment opportunities and boost tourism and industrial activity in connected regions,” they added.

The government further informed that a total of 431 railway infrastructure projects covering 35,966 km, with an estimated cost of about Rs 6.75 lakh crore, are currently sanctioned across the country.

“The timely completion of projects depends on multiple factors, including land acquisition, forest clearances, shifting of utilities and local conditions,” it said—(KNO)

Earthquake of Magnitude 5.9 Jolts Afghanistan, Tremors Felt Across J&K

Reports of tremors felt in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi also

Srinagar, Apr 3: A moderate earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck the Afghanistan-Tajikistan Border Region on Friday evening, with tremors felt across several parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to initial data, as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, the quake occurred at 16:12:58 UTC with its epicenter located at coordinates 36.52°N latitude and 71.01°E longitude, at a depth of 175 kilometres. The information was shared by Kashmir Weather, citing data from GFZ.

No immediate reports of damage or casualties have been received so far, however, mild tremors triggered panic among residents in parts of the Valley.

Authorities are monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, earthquake was also reported from North India – parts including Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. (KNC)

A strong Western Disturbance is going to impact J&K during the next 36 Hours.The peak impact of this Western Disturbance is expected until tomorrow late afternoon or evening.Most places of J&K will record moderate to heavy precipitation.The higher reaches will experience fresh moderate to heavy snowfall, with snowfall accumulation ranging from 6-8 inches to 2.5-3 feet.Sadhna Top, Sinthan Top, Razdan Top, Zojila Pass, Mughal Road, Peer Ki Gali and adjoining places can expect snowfall and subsequently road closures.The Western Disturbance is embedded with a cold front, it’s likely to influence the freezing level and make it drop to some extent.The snowline is expected to drop to around 2000-2100 meters, there is a good possibility of light to moderate snowfall on the middle reaches, a couple of inches of snowfall accumulation is possible (Note : it’s not necessary that every place at 2000-2100 meters or lower would experience snowfall, this is the lowest estimated snowline associated with this Western Disturbance.There is also a risk of snowfall in Shopian (35-40% chance) considering the amount of rainfall which is forecasted, resulting in evaporative cooling along with the support of a cold front.Light to moderate rainfall is expected in plains, the possibility of heavy rainfall remains elevated in many plains.There will be a significant improvement in weather from tomorrow evening or late night.An overall improvement in weather is unlikely as the risk of precipitation would remain elevated on 5th and 6th April as well, although the weather for the majority of the time is expected to remain dry.There can be a spell in multiple places on these days.Another strong Western Disturbance will impact J&K from 7th April.

Note

1) There is a risk of thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms and gusty winds.Windstorms cannot be ruled out in some places.

2) Due to erratic weather, apple orchards or blossoms can be damaged.

3) There is going to be a significant drop in temperatures.

4) Prolonged episodes of precipitation cannot be ruled out.

Advisories

1) People are advised to not to travel to the higher reaches, as the risk of road closures remains elevated.

2) There is a risk of flash floods in some places during this period, especially for Jammu Region.People should avoid crossing rivers or heading to low lying areas.

Forecast Insights : Kashmir Weatherman