Srinagar: Upper reaches of Kashmir Valley received snowfall while traces of rains lashed plains on Thursday. Amid overnight cloud cover, minimum temperature rose considerably across the J&K and Ladakh, with most places in Kashmir Valley recording above-sub-zero temperature.
Almost 4 inches of snowfall were reported from parts of north Kashmir as authorities closed Bandipora-Gurez road. However, vehicles were plying on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world.
Reports reaching GNS that snow accumulated at Tangmarg, Gulmarg and Babareshi since 4 a.m. today.
An official of the Mechanical division said that snow clearance has been started. “Only vehicles having 4×4 facility or vehicles fixed with snow chains on tyres, shall be allowed to move between Tangmarg and Gulmarg, to prevent skidding of the vehicles,” the official added.
Reports said 12 cm of snow accumulated Sadhna top, 10 cm in Furkain Gali and 10 cm in Z Gali.
Also, Bandipora-Gurez road has been closed following snowfall near Razdan top. “Even though there has been 2 inches of snowfall, traffic has been suspended as a precautionary measure,” he said.
Meanwhile, a meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K recorded a low of 2.6 against last night’s minus 1.8°C. It was after several days that the mercury rose above normal sub-zero level and today’s temperature was 4.6°C above normal for this time of the year.
Kashmir is presently under the 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started from December 21. It is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.
The mercury in the world famous resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district settled at minus 3.7°C against minus 4.0°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 2.1°C above normal for the famous resort which is presently teeming with visitors.
Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, had a low of 0.8°C against minus 3.°C on the previous night, he said.
Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 0.3°C against minus 5.2°C on previous night.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 0.7°C against minus 1.9°C on previous night, the official said.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of 2.6°C against minus 2.9°C on the previous night, the official said.
Jammu, the J&K’s winter capital, saw a low of 9.3°C which is 6.8°C below normal, he said.
Ladakh’s Leh had a low of minus 6.6°C against last night’s minus 12.4°C while automatic Kargil station recorded minimum of minus 6.1°C. Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 9.6°C, the official said.
The MET Office said there is possibility of light rain or snow at isolated places in J-K over the next 24 hours.
“As expected, light to moderate snow(over higher reaches) occured at a few places of Kashmir and Sonmarg-Drass axis. There’s no forest of any major/significant snow/rainfall till 26th(Day),” the MeT official said, adding, “A Western Disturbance of greater intensity is Likely during 26(Evening) -28th(F/N). Due to this, Light to Moderate Snowfall(2-3Inches) in plains of Kashmir, Moderate over higher reaches of J&K( Heavy 1-2Ft) at isolated places over higher reaches of J&K, Zojila-Minamarg axis, and light snowfall at scattered places of Ladakh, especially Kargil-Zanskar area and light to moderate rain with thunderstorm is likely during above period.” (GNS)
