Winter chill returns to Kashmir amid fresh snowfall, rains
Historic Mughal road among other roads closed
Srinagar: Several areas in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Saturday while the plains were lashed by rain.
Snowfall was recorded in Tulail and Razdan Top areas of Gurez valley in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, Peer Ki Gali in south Kashmir’s Shopian, Zojila Pass along the Srinagar-Leh highway and some other areas in the higher reaches, officials said.
The plains of the valley, including Srinagar, were lashed by rain.
The inclement weather caused temperatures to drop across Kashmir.
While the minimum temperature went down by up to 3 degrees, the maximum temperature on Friday was 3-5 degrees below normal, the meteorological department said.
It said there is a possibility of widespread light to moderate rain or thundershowers with light snow over the higher reaches over the next 24 hours.
Notably, fresh and untimely snowfall has occurred at multiple places in the higher reaches of Kashmir including Affarwat in Gulmarg, Tulail and Razdan Top areas of Gurez valley, Sadhna Top, Zojila Pass, Sinthan Top, Pir Ki Gali and parts of Warwan Valley in Kishtwar.
The rains, however, lashed the plains of Kashmir since the intervening night of Friday-Saturday, bringing down the mercury further in Jammu and Kashmir.
The region amidst the fresh wet spell has witnessed cold days with Srinagar recording a maximum temperature of 14.5 degree Celsius, which was 12.2 degree Celsius below than normal.
Qazigund, a gateway of Kashmir, recorded 13.0 degree Celsius, which was 12.6 degree Celsius below normal while Pahalgam recorded 8.2 degree Celsius and 14.8 degree Celsius below normal.
Kokernag, Kupwara and Gulmarg have recorded a maximum temperature of 12.0 degree Celsius, 12.8 degree Celsius and 6.8 degree Celsius respectively.
Jammu region has also recorded the cold day with winter capital recording a maximum temperature of 32.9 degree Celsius while Banihal and Batote recorded 14.6 degree Celsius and 18.1 degree Celsius respectively.
Bhaderwah has recorded a maximum temperature of 18.4 degree Celsius while Katra recorded 28.6 degree Celsius.
Meanwhile, an independent Weather Forecaster, Faizan Arif Keng said that the weather conditions would improve from tomorrow while short spells of showers can continue during the next three days.
“Temperature will remain near normal to below normal during the next three days,” he added.
Meanwhile, the fresh snowfall has led to the closure of multiple roads across Jammu and Kashmir including Mughal Road and SSG Road while an advisory has been issued for Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44).
The National Highway-44 remained open for two-way passenger traffic on Saturday even as heavy rainfall lashed the region, causing difficulties for commuters. Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) were allowed to ply from Jammu towards Srinagar, traffic authorities said.
An official from the Traffic department said that despite the inclement weather, passenger traffic is moving smoothly in both directions on NH-44.
“HMVs have been allowed to move from Jammu towards Srinagar. However, the entire highway stretch has witnessed heavy rain, which has made the road slippery at several points,” the official said.
He added that commuters have been advised to strictly follow lane discipline and avoid overtaking to prevent congestion and possible accidents.
Regarding the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road and Sinthan Top Road, the official said traffic movement is stopped and the clearance operation is ongoing.
The road will be operational again after receiving clearance and a green signal from road maintenance agencies. “Currently, no movement on these roads is permitted until the roads are cleared, and for that, operations are ongoing by the concerned agencies,” he said.
Meanwhile, the historic Mughal Road, which connects Shopian in South Kashmir with Poonch and Rajouri districts in Jammu region, remained blocked due to fresh snowfall at Peer Ki Gali.
“There is no traffic movement on the Mughal Road as the area received fresh snowfall, making the stretch unsafe for travel,” the official said.
Moreover, the authorities have urged travellers to remain in touch with the traffic control units and follow regular updates and advisories before planning their journey. (with inputs from News Bureaus, PTI and KNO)
