Srinagar: Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Thursday with spells of wet weather, especially in the higher reaches of the valley, expected in days ahead, the weather office said.
Tourist resorts of Pahalgam and Sonamarg, Zojila axis, upper areas in Budgam, Gurez, Bandipora, Ganderbal, and other places received snowfall early in the morning.
Plains of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama and Baramulla also received light snowfall, officials said.
In Srinagar, light snowflakes started when the last reports came in, they added.
The Meteorological Department had forecast generally cloudy weather with light rain or snow at scattered places in Kashmir for the rest of the day. It said light snow at isolated higher reaches cannot be ruled out during the weekend.
From January 20-21, there is a possibility of light snow at isolated to scattered places, while light to moderate snow at scattered to fairly widespread places is possible from January 22-23, the MeT said.
Meanwhile, owing to overcast conditions, the minimum temperatures across the Kashmir valley increased, providing the residents some relief from the intense cold.
The minimum temperature in Srinagar settled at minus 2.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, up from the previous night’s minus 4.8 degrees Celsius.
The resort town of Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of minus 7 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, up from minus 8.4 degrees Celsius the night before.
The minimum temperature was minus 3.8 degrees Celsius in Qazigund, minus 3.5 degrees Celsius in Konibal in Pampore town, minus 1.9 degrees Celsius in Kupwara and minus 2.2 degrees Celsius in Kokernag.
Trikuta hills receive season’s first snowfall
The Trikuta hills ensconcing the cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi received the season’s first snowfall even as rain lashed large parts of the Jammu region, blocking the Mughal and Simthan roads.
Despite the snowfall, pilgrims continued their journey on foot to offer prayers at the shrine, officials said.
“We are happy to feel the snowflakes touching us. It is the first time in my life that I have seen snowfall, and that too at the abode of Mata. It is a blessing for me,” a pilgrim from Pune said.
The tourist resort of Sanasar in the Ramban district experienced moderate snowfall.
Moderate to heavy snow fell in parts of Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Poonch, Kathua, and Reasi districts, officials said.
Some inter-district roads, as well as the inter-regional Mughal road and Simthan roads, were closed due to snowfall, they added.
Jammu-Srinagar national highway remains open for traffic despite rain in Ramban and Udhampur districts.
Traffic police issued an advisory stating that vehicles on the highway were moving at a slow pace due to heavy snowfall in the Qazigund-Anantnag sector and the Banihal area near the Navyug tunnel.
“Commuters are advised to avoid travelling on the highway if possible because of heavy snowfall on the Qazigund side,” the advisory said.
