Srinagar: Kashmir celebrated the fresh snowfall, first in most of the areas, as it ended the horrifying dry spell with a hope of more snowfall and thus improvement in troubling weather conditions. The change in weather pattern also improved minimum temperatures at most of the places in Kashmir.
While locals were smiling to welcome the positive weather change, tourists were enjoying the snowfall in Srinagar, Gulmarg and other tourist resorts. For them, it was like a dream coming true.
A western disturbance hit Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, bringing light snowfall in many areas of the valley, the officials said.
Snowfall was recorded in the ski resort of Gulmarg, tourist resorts of Sonamarg and Pahalgam, Gurez, Zojila axis, Sadhna Top, Mughal Road, and many areas in Bandipora, Baramulla, and Kupwara districts, the officials said.
They said the season’s first snowfall was also recorded in the plains of Srinagar, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, and Pulwama districts. There are reports of fresh snowfall in other higher reaches of the valley as well.
While rains lashed the plains of Jammu, the higher reaches of the region also witnessed snowfall.
The fresh snowfall led to the closure of the Srinagar-Leh highway and the Mughal Road, the officials said.
The snowfall has put an end to the prolonged dry spell in Kashmir with the weatherman predicting more precipitation across J&K till Saturday.
However, the snowfall led to the cancellation of six flights and the closure of several major roads across the Valley.
As per the details, two inches of snowfall was recorded in Srinagar while the highest accumulation till this evening was recorded at Peer Ki Gali, Sinthan Top, Baltal Pahalgam with nearly 10-12 inches of snow.
At Chiranbal Kulgam, 8 inches of snow accumulated while Qazigund recorded 5 inches, Main town Kulgam 4 inches, Main town Shopian 3 inches, Mir Bazar Kulgam 4 inches, Anantnag 3 inches, Hakura Anantnag 5 inches and Dialgam Anantnag 5 inches.
The snowfall was continuing at multiple places when this report was filed.
The snowfall disrupted traffic, leading to the suspension of movement on several key routes, including Srinagar-Jammu Highway, Mughal Road, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG), Gurez, Zojila, and Sinthan Pass.
The authorities closed the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, Mughal Road and SSG Road as a precautionary measure.
An official told KNO that Sinthan Pass along NH-244 has been closed for all vehicular movement until further notice due to heavy snowfall. Snow clearance operations will commence soon, he said.
The official added that other roads, including Gurez, Zojila, and Mughal Road, have also been closed by the administration.
Furthermore, the snowfall also led to the cancellation of flight operations in Srinagar. Director of Srinagar International Airport, Javed Anjum said that six flights were cancelled following the inclement weather conditions.
Director Meteorological (MeT) department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that generally cloudy weather with light rain over the plains of Jammu & light snow over Chenab Valley & Pirpanjal Range is expected till tomorrow.
He said that light snow over the middle & upper reaches particularly over South & Central Kashmir is expected to continue.
From December 29 to 31st, there is a forecast of generally dry weather, he said, adding that on January 1& 2, generally cloudy weather with the possibility of light snow is expected at isolated places while from January 3 to 5, generally cloudy with possibility of light snow at isolated to scattered places is expected, he said. (With KNO INPUTS)
