Kashmir valley receive fresh snowfall, several highways, roads closed

The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg and other heights besides plains, including summer capital Srinagar, in the Kashmir valley experienced fresh snowfall on Saturday, when the Sun was playing hide and seek providing some relief to people.

Union Territory (UT)of Ladakh, including border town of Kargil, Drass, Meenmarg and Zojila also received snowfall.

Snowfall disrupted traffic movement on several highways and roads. Air traffic at Srinagar International Airport was also disrupted for some time in the morning.

Though the weather warning has ended, fairly widespread light rain and snow over Jammu and Kashmir division and isolated light rain and snow in Ladakh region and scattered light rain and snow in Gilgit and Baltistan in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) during the next 24 hours, a Met department spokesman said today.

There could be decrease in precipitation during subsequent two days, he said adding dry weather is predicted from December 14.

Srinagar, the summer capital of Union Territory (UT) J&K, had turned white when people woke up Saturday morning due to snowfall. Roof and tree tops besides open fields, parks and roads were under the cover of few inches of snow. The snow clearance operation was launched immediately on main roads. However, majority roads were water-lodged after snow started melting when sun came out from behind the clouds, providing much needed relief to people. Children and elders were seen playing with snow. Tourists were seen taking photographs in the parks and Dal Lake area since this morning.

Snowfall delayed morning flight at Srinagar Airport. However, flight operation resumed at 1030 hrs and no flight has been cancelled.

The minimum temperature in Srinagar witnessed a sharp drop and settled at minus 0.6 degree against yesterdays 2.3 degree which was 2.9 degree above normal on Friday.

Met spokesman said the sky would be partly cloudy to mainly clear during the next 24 hours in Srinagar, where the maximum and minimum temperatures would be 11 an 2 degree respectively.

The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg recorded 12 to 15 inches of fresh snowfall while at Baba Reshi it was 7 to 8 inches and Tanmarg 5 to 6 inches. However, the upper reaches, including Kongdori, Khilanmarg and Affarwat, the highest skiing point connected by Cable Car received moderate to heavy snowfall, much to the delight of skiers and other adventure lovers. Gulmarg recorded minus 4 degree minimum temperature against minus 5.2 degree witnessed yesterday.

Moderate to heavy snowfall was also witnessed in north Kashmir, including the areas near Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramulla forcing closure of several main roads. In Bandipora border area of Dawar received 12 inches of snow, Kanzalwan 13 inches, Razdan top 18 inches, Kudara 8 inches, Surender 7 inches, Athwatoo 8 inches and Bandipora main town 2 inches.

Famed health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, received 4 inches of fresh snowfall. However, the holy Amarnath cave shrine and its periphery, Panjterni, Pisso top, Sheshnag, Mahaguns and Chandanwari on traditional yatra route received moderate to heavy snowfall.

Elsewhere in the south Kashmir light to moderate snowfall was received in plains and heavy in the upper reaches. Ahrabal received 10 inches of snowfall, Manzgam 8 inches, D H Pora 6 inches, Malwan 5 inches, Kulgam 4 inches and Kund 8 inches.

Central Kashmir district of Ganderbal also recorded fresh snowfall. Sonamarg on Srinagar-Leh highway which is closed for any traffic movement, recorded 10 inches of fresh snowfall, Gund 5 inches, Kangan 4 inches and main town Ganderbal 2 inches.

In Badgam Khag received 7 inches of snowfall, Beerwa, Khansahib, Chadoora and Charar-e-Sharief 4 inches to 5 inches. Badgam town, Magam, Narbl and B K Pora recorded 2 inches to 3 inches of snowfall.

In Kargil district of UT of Ladakh, Panikhar received 12 inches of snowfall, Meenmarg 7 inches, Rangdum 5 inches, Drass and Sankoo 4 inches, Zanskar 2 inches and Kargil town one inche, Chiktan 4 inches and Barsoo 4 inches.