Srinagar, Apr 01: Heavy rains lashed Kashmir valley and higher reaches received fresh snowfall, on Saturday while the Meteorological Department forecasted prevailing weather conditions to continue till the next 3-4 days in the region.

The city along with other parts of Kashmir experienced  heavy spell of rainfall from Friday the low-lying areas remained waterlogged. Several parts of the Valley and Jammu also received heavy rainfall till late evening.

Director Metrological Department, Kashmir, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that as expected rain lashed plains and snowfall occurred at higher reaches of Gulmarg and Sonamarg respectively.

"Most regions are currently experiencing rain, and higher elevations are seeing light snowfall. On Sunday, we're anticipating partially cloudy weather and brief spell of rain/thunderstorms and partly overcast skies at scattered places,” he said.

Lotus said there is a forecast for intermittent showers and thunderstorms from April 3 to 6. 

Strong gusty winds may accompany a thunderstorm.

“Every year, we are witnessing such weather in Kashmir and it is the usual process. There is no need to panic about the weather situation,” he added.

Following the cloudy weather, various parts of Kashmir on Wednesday, Kashmir witnessed a drop in night temperatures,

Srinagar recorded 12.3 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature and 9.9 °C as the minimum temperature.

Health resort Pahalgam in south Kashmir settled at 7.8 °C degrees and 4.8 °C as minimum temperatures. Ski-resort Gulmarg recorded 0.8 °C as the minimum temperature and 3.8°C as the maximum temperature.

Qazigund recorded a low of 12.0 °C, Kokernag at 12.0 °C ,  Kupwara recorded a minimum of 12.2 °C  and Banihalwitnessed maximum temperatures at  9.2 °C respectively.

A traffic police department spokesman from the past 24 hours, Jammu Srinagar NHW remained blocked for more than few hours at several places on NHW due to shooting stones/landslides.

He said on Sunday, subject to fair weather and road clearance, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. TCU Jammu/Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic, it said.

Similarly, on the Srinagar-Leh road, only LMVs Goods/passengers) from Kargil towards Srinagar shall be allowed on the on the road. These vehicles shall be allowed from Minimarg at 0700 hrs. up to 0830 hrs.

“ No vehicle shall be allowed after cut-off timing. Motorists are advised to carry an anti-skid chain to gain more grip on the slippery road. No vehicle shall be allowed without an anti-skid chain,” the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) on Saturday issued an avalanche warning for four districts in the Union Territory, advising people against venturing out into the avalanche-prone areas.

JKDMA spokesperson said that avalanche with low danger level is likely to occur above 3500 metres above sea level over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch and Ramban districts in next 24 hours.

"People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas till further orders", he said.