Snow alert in J&K: IMD predicts week-long spell; 232 would-be moms rushed to hospitals, farmers told to postpone activities

SRINAGAR: Kashmir Valley and Pir Panjal regions in J&K may witness major snowfall from early Friday, with India Meteorological Department (IMD), Srinagar, forecasting that back-to-back western disturbances will impact the region's weather pattern for almost a week.Authorities have stepped up preparedness at district level. Kulgam deputy commissioner Athar Aamir Khan said that as a precautionary measure, 232 women expected to deliver babies this week were hospitalised to ensure uninterrupted medical care during the harsh winter spell.With a rainfall deficit of 96% this month, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an arid winter, leading to forest fires and drying up of rivers and streams. IMD Srinagar director Mukhtar Ahmad Thursday said weather conditions would change early Friday onwards, with moderate to heavy rainfall and heavy snowfall likely in parts of south Kashmir. North Kashmir may see moderate to heavy snow.Ahmad warned that the weather situation would disrupt traffic and trigger landslides on major highways, including Srinagar-Leh highway; Mughal Road, which connects Kashmir Valley to Poonch district in Jammu division, and Razdan Pass, a high-altitude mountain pass connecting north Kashmir's Bandipora district with t Gurez Valley on the LoC. The changing weather could also affect air traffic on Friday, Ahmad said, adding that high-altitude areas - including Zojila Pass, Gulmarg and parts of Kupwara - were expected to receive two to three feet of snowfall.With another western disturbance likely to affect the region from Jan 26, Ahmad advised farmers to postpone activities till Jan 28. He said light rain was expected on Jan 24-25, and another active phase will commence from Jan 26 when moderate rain and snow is expected at most places across Kashmir.