Srinagar- Upper reaches of Kashmir valley and Ladakh received light snowfall while the plains were lashed by mild rain on Thursday as the minimum temperature rose considerably across Jammu and Kashmir due to the cloudy sky as most places in Kashmir Valley recorded 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 allowed on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world.
Reports said that snow accumulated at Tangmarg, Gulmarg and Babareshi since 4 morning today.
“Only vehicles having 4×4 facility or vehicles fixed with snow chains on tyres, were allowed to move between Tangmarg and Gulmarg, to prevent skidding of the vehicles,” an official of the Mechanical division said.
Reports said 12 cm of snow accumulated at Sadhna top, 10 cm in Furkain Gali and 10 cm in Z Gali.
Also, Bandipora-Gurez road was 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 said that Srinagar recorded a low of 2.6 against last night’s minus 1.8 degree Celsius. It was after several days that the mercury rose above normal sub-zero level and today’s temperature was 4.6 degree Celsius above normal for this time of the year.
Kashmir is presently under the 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chilleh Kalan ‘, which started from December 21.
The mercury in ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district settled at minus 3.7 degree Celsius against minus 4.0 degree Celsius on the previous night, the official said. It was 2.1 degree Celsius above normal for the famous resort which is presently teeming with visitors.
Qazigund had a low of 0.8 degree Celsius against minus 3. 0 degree Celsius on the previous night, he said.
Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 0.3 degree Celsius against minus 5.2 degree Celsius on previous night.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 0.7 degree Celsius against minus 1.9 degree Celsius on the previous night, the official said.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of 2.6 degree Celsius against minus 2.9 degree Celsius on the previous night, the official said.
Jammu saw a low of 9.3 degree Celsius which is 6.8 degree Celsius below normal, he said.
Ladakh’s Leh had a low of minus 6.6 degree Celsius against last night’s minus 12.4 degree Celsius while automatic Kargil station recorded a minimum of minus 6.1 degree Celsius. Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 9.6 degree Celsius, 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
“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,” he added.
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