Avalanche Warning issued in Kashmir as days of heavy snowfall arrive. Rainfall likely in plains

METD WEATHER

Akshay Deoras

Severe Weather Forecaster

The Authorities in Kashmir have issued a Medium Danger level warning for Avalanche in some areas in Kashmir due to the very heavy snowfall forecast over the next few days.

"A medium-danger avalanche warning has been sounded by Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) for Gurez, Gugladara, Keran, Machil, Chowkibal and Tangdar in north Kashmir areas close to the Line of Control," said Amar Ali, Coordinator-Disaster Management Cell.

Instructions also have been given that no vehicle other than a 4 wheel drive with chain shall go to Gulmarg from Tangmarg.

FORECASTS-

AS THE SHORTWAVE TROUGH AMPLIFIES AND REACHES TO WESTERN PERIPHERY OF NORTH INDIA, SEVERE WEATHER WITH WINTER SETUP IS LIKELY IN NORTH INDIA FROM TODAY ( 6TH FEB 2011) AND PARTICULARLY TOMORROW (7TH FEB 2011)

HEAVY SNOW IS LIKELY TODAY TILL TOMORROW NIGHT IN NORTH INDIA COVERING

SRINAGAR CITY( FOR SOME PERIOD ONLY) , GULMARG,SONAMARG,PEHALGAM,HIGHER REACHES,KARGIL,DRASS,LADAKH

ALL AREAS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH, UTTARANCHAL

NORTHERN PLAINS ( PUNJAB,CHANDIGARH,HARYANA,JAMMU)

WILL RECEIVE LIGHT TO MEDIUM RAINS WITH THUNDERSTORM AND

LIKELY HAILSTORM DUE TO CAPE VALUES REACHING UPTO 2000J/KG AND THE LIFTED INDEX UPTO -4.0

(Right- PW forecast)

SO FOLL ARE THE WARNINGS-

1] AVALANCHE WARNING FROM NOW TILL 1800HRS (7TH FEB 2011) FROM AUTHORITIES IN SRINAGAR

2] MARK 5 ALERT AND PDS ( METD WEATHER) IN EFFECT FROM NOW TILL 1200HRS (8TH FEB 2011) IN J&K

3] HIMACHAL PRADESH-

MARK 5 ALERT AND PDS TILL 0800HRS (9TH FEB 2011) --- METD WEATHER