Western Disturbance to trigger widespread rain, snow in J&K till April 9

Srinagar, Apr 7: A fresh Western Disturbance is likely to bring widespread rain and snow to Jammu and Kashmir from Monday afternoon, with the system remaining active till April 9, officials said.
Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) that moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is expected over the Jammu division from afternoon, which will extend to south Kashmir by late evening and later to other parts of the valley.
Central and north Kashmir may receive light to moderate rain with isolated heavy spells, while higher reaches are likely to witness moderate to heavy snowfall, the forecaster added.
Gusty winds, thunderstorms and isolated hailstorm activity are also possible across both divisions, he said.
The weather system will remain active until the afternoon of April 9, with gradual improvement thereafter, the forecaster said.
Earlier on Monday, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department, Srinagar, informed news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) that intermittent light to moderate rain is expected from Tuesday forenoon to Wednesday evening, with higher reaches likely to receive light to moderate snowfall.
He said a few places in both divisions may get moderate to heavy rainfall.
The weather department has issued an advisory warning of thunder, hailstorms and gusty winds reaching 40-50 km/h on April 7 and 8.
“Intense, heavy showers for brief periods may trigger flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas, as well as waterlogging in low-lying areas, especially along Zojila and Mughal Road,” the officer said.
From April 9 to 10, isolated light rain and snow over higher reaches are possible, but conditions are likely to remain generally dry from April 11 to 16, though a brief afternoon spell cannot be ruled out, officials added.