Srinagar: Few areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir, including the Gulmarg tourist resort, received fresh snowfall, while the plains were lashed by rains on Sunday, officials said.
The upper reaches of Gulmarg, including Apharwat and Kongdoori bowls, received snowfall, which continued till last reports came in. Pir Ki Gali, along the Mughal Road in Shopian district of south Kashmir, and Sonamarg Zojilla axis also received fresh snowfall.
The snowfall on the Zojilla Pass forced the closure of the Srinagar-Leh national highway, the officials added.
Due to slippery roads, the Gurez–Bandipora road and the Mughal Road, which connects the Kashmir Valley with the Pir Panjal region have also been closed to vehicular traffic.
The plains of the valley, including Srinagar, were lashed by rains which were going on till last reports, the officials said.
The wet weather has brought down the day temperature across the valley.
The Meteorological Department has forecast erratic weather till March 20.
It said intermittent light to moderate rain, or snow in the higher reaches was likely till Monday morning.
There is a possibility of a brief spell of light rain or snow, in the higher reaches, at isolated places on Tuesday.
MeT officials said that erratic weather conditions are expected to continue across the Union Territory until March 20 while as from March 18-20, the weather will remain generally cloudy with a possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain or snow at many places.
The MeT Office said another wet spell is likely on March 24-25, with light rain, or snow in the higher reaches, at scattered places.
It said there is a possibility of thunder or gusty winds, about 40-50 kmph, at a few places on Sunday and Monday.
Over 30 vehicles stranded amid snowfall in Kishtwar; rescue operation underway
More than 30 light motor vehicles were stranded after moderate snowfall in Sinthan top and Margan top in Kishtwar district on Sunday, prompting a joint rescue operation by police and civil administration, officials said.
The vehicles got stuck due to fresh snowfall and slippery road conditions at the high-altitude passes, disrupting traffic movement on the road connecting Kishtwar in Jammu with south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, they said.
The officials said soon after receiving information, teams of the police, Army, and the civil administration rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation to ensure the safety of the stranded passengers.
Snow clearance machines were pressed into service from both Kishtwar and Anantnag sides, and efforts were underway to shift all vehicles to safer locations, they said.
All passengers were safe and were being assisted by the rescue teams, while continuous snowfall and low temperatures were making the operation challenging, they added.
Authorities have advised commuters to avoid travel on the Sinthan-Margan stretch of the road until weather conditions improve and the route is declared safe for movement.
Meanwhile, the traffic on Mughal road connecting the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu with south Kashmir’s Shopian district was also suspended Sunday evening due to fresh snowfall at Pir Ki Gali and adjoining areas, the officials said. (PTI)
