Srinagar- The higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Friday while plains also experienced light showers, ending the dry spell in most parts of the valley. However, the weathermen here have predicted more rains and snow on Saturday.
Ski-resort of Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Machil, Sinthan Top, Zoji la, Pir Panchal, Sadhna Pass and Mughal Road experienced fresh snowfall today.
According to the data available, Machil received 2 inches of snowfall while Sinthon Top recorded 3-4 inches of snowfall today.
The weather is expected to remain wet till tomorrow following which the weather will remain dry for the next 10-15 days.
Moreover, Meteorological department (MeT) officials predicted cloudy weather with intermittent light rain at many places of Jammu & plains of Kashmir.
“Light snow (1-2 inches) likely (50% chance) in plains of Kashmir during 9th Night-10th Forenoon whereas few higher reaches may receive 4-6 inches of snow particularly over Gulmarg, Sonamarg-Zojila-Gumri axis, Razdan Pass, Sadhna Pass, Mughal Road and Sinthan Pass,” the MeT officials said.
The MeT further said that there is no forecast of any major snow during this spell. It further said that there will be slight respite from the cold during the next 2-3 days.
“Dry weather is expected thereafter till 18th December with occasionally cloudy and light snow over higher reaches of Ganderabal, Kupwara and Bandipora during 12th late night,” MeT officials said.
The MeT aso issued advisory, saying that there may be temporary disruption in surface transportation over Sinthan Top, Mughal Road, Razdan pass, Bandipora-Gurez, Zojila during the above period.
Meanwhile, the snowfall has also led to the closure of some vital roads and highways in Kashmir.
The movement of vehicles inside Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, also known as Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel, was restored after remaining suspended for around 4 hours on Friday due to power shutdown, officials said.
Officials said that traffic inside the Tunnel was suspended due to a power shutdown.
He said last evening Chief Engineer (Distribution) JPDCL Jammu had informed that the power supply to Ramban, Chenani-Nashri Tunnel and adjoining areas shall remain affected from 12 noon to 3 pm.
He said the power restoration work was started and continued for four hours, following which the traffic movement was resumed.
Meanwhile, the minimum temperature across the valley, except in Gulmarg, stayed above the freezing point owing to a cloud cover, the officials said.
Srinagar recorded the minimum temperature of 1 degree Celsius.
The mercury in Pahalgam tourist spot in south Kashmir settled at a low of 0.7 degree Celsius, the officials said.
They said Qazigund, the gateway town to the valley, recorded a low of 0.2 degree Celsius, while the mercury in Kokernag settled at a low of 1.1 degrees Celsius. Kupwara in north Kashmir registered a low of 1 degree Celsius.
Gulmarg was the only weather station in the valley where the night temperature stayed below the freezing point at a low of minus 3 degrees Celsius, the officials said.
The MeT office has said the weather will remain cloudy with intermittent light rainfall at many places of Jammu and in the plains of Kashmir.
There is a possibility of light snowfall in the plains of Kashmir during December 9-10 forenoon, whereas few areas in the higher reaches of the valley may receive moderate snowfall, it said.
The weather office has predicted slight respite in cold during the next two or three days.
Meanwhile, Mughal road, connecting twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri with Shopian, remained closed overnight while authorities on Friday also shut Srinagar-Leh highway after fresh snowfall.
A traffic department official here however said that traffic was plying on Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world. “Mughal road and SSG road closed for vehicular movement due 2 fresh snowfall,” the official said.
Meanwhile, authorities in Anantnag have urged people of Larnoo and tourists to refrain from venturing out in landslide and shooting stone prone areas as well as from travelling on Sinthan pass and Margan pass roads from till December 11.
“In view of predictions by the meteorological Department for widespread rains, snowfall and bad weather conditions, people of Tehsil Larnoo and tourists are advised to refrain from venturing in landslide and shooting stone prone areas,” Tehsildar Larnoo said in an advisory.
“Moreover rainfall/thunderstorm/snowfall may lead to disruption of traffic on Sinthan pass and Margan pass roads. People are advised to refrain from travelling on these two roads from (till) 11th of December 2022.”
Also in compliance to the directions of SDM Kokernag, he said, SHO Larnoo and Naib Tehsildar Larnoo are directed to setup naka at Daksum and Gowran and restrict all kinds of vehicular traffic on Sinthan pass and Margan pass roads till December 11. “Moreover Assistant tourist officer Kokernag shall place 4 tourist guards at Daksum naka and Range officer Daksum shall place 4 forest guards at Gowran naka from 4pm to 9am on the days when the aforementioned roads are closed.” (With agency inputs)
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