Over-staying winter may bring more rain, snow from March 14
Experts say high precipitation good for agriculture, ground water recharge
The overstaying winter season is all set to bring another spell of snow and rains in Jammu and Kashmir as the Meteorological Department said the state would witness more rains and snowfall on March 14 and 15.
“The state will witness fresh spell of light to moderate snow and rainfall on March 14 and 15,” Met officials said.
They predicted rain and hailstorm in plains of Jammu division and moderate snowfall in upper reaches of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh.
The officials said that normally the Western Disturbance (WD) embrace this northern state during February and March but this year it arrived in a different pattern and will continue till April. They also predicted almost dry weather across the state in next 24 hours.
Director Met, J&K, Sonam Lotus said, “Rains and snow in March were most expected as there was a prolonged dry spell, below average rainfall and snowfall during December and January.”
He added that fresh spell of WD is arriving and would trigger rain and snow again on March 14 and 15.
On people’s concern over changing pattern of climatic events, he said it’s a normal thing. Kashmir region and upper areas of Jammu mostly record maximum precipitation in the month of March while the plains of Jammu receive maximum rains in July.
Sonam also said that snowfall and rains in March-April are good for agriculture of Kashmir and mountainous areas of Jammu, while the same may have bad effect on the rabbi crops in plains of Jammu region.
He said more precipitation is advantageous for agriculture and recharge of ground water and water bodies including lakes, ponds, wells utilized for drinking and irrigation purpose.
