Srinagar, March 19 -- Kashmir received fresh rains in the plains while snowfall was witnessed over the higher reaches on Wednesday plunging the day temperatures by 7-8 degrees than normal. The day started with cloudy weather with light to moderate rains which continued intermittently throughout the day with widespread rains across the valley including in capital Srinagar. "As predicted, the rains have started again this morning and the system's peak activity will be on March 19-20 which will cause moderate to heavy snowfall especially in Chenab and the adjoining South Kashmir mountains. In Jammu plains there will be moderate rains," said director of J&K meteorological centre, Mukhtar Ahmad. The MeT, in an update, said that the erratic weather will continue in J&K till March 20. It said that the weather will be mostly cloudy with possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain/snow at many places. The director MeT said there was possibility of heavy rain/snow (higher reaches) at few places with thunder and gusty winds at 40-50 Km/h at few places during March 18-20 March with possibility of hailstorms at isolated places. Srinagar in central Kashmir recorded a maximum of 8.4 degree Celsius on Wednesday (against a normal of 16 degrees) and a minimum of 6.7 degree Celsius on the previous intervening night. Pahalgam in South Kashmir witnessed a maximum day temperature of 7.6 degree Celsius and a night temperature of 3.2 degree Celsius. The ski resort of Gulmarg in North Kashmir recorded a maximum of 1 degree Celsius during the day while night temperature settled at -1.4 degree Celsius. With weather activity set to intensify in parts of Himachal Pradesh over the next few days, the IMD office in Shimla has issued an orange alert for heavy rain and snowfall in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Lahaul-Spiti districts for March 19. The orange alert has also been extended to these districts for March 20, along with Shimla district. During last 24 hours, light rain and snowfall was observed at isolated places over the state....