A vendor sells fruits amid snowfall in Srinagar on Thursday – KO photo by Abid Bhat
Srinagar- Srinagar and other areas in the Kashmir plains received light snowfall, the season’s first, on Thursday while moderate snow broke the dry spell in the Valley’s higher reaches.
Most of the plains in the Valley, including Srinagar, received light snowfall from late in the afternoon.
The snowfall was continuing when the last reports came in. However the Met office here has predicted improvement in weather conditions from Friday till January 07, 2023.
Most of the stations across Kashmir are recording sub-zero temperatures every night, thus intensifying the cold wave in the Valley.
Related News: In Photos – Season’s First Snowfall In Srinagar
The Meteorological department (MeT) officials said that the plains in South and north other than higher reaches of Kashmir would receive light to moderate snowfall till tomorrow (Friday).
Reports said that Gulmarg ski-resort, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Gurez received fresh snowfall today.
Almost 3 inches of snow accumulated in Gulmarg while two inches of snowfall has accumulated in higher reaches of north including Gurez and Sadhna Top.
Four inches of snowfall accumulated in Mughal Road, Sinthan Top and Margan Top while Pahalgam received light snowfall and in Sonamarg two inches nowfall had accumulated when the report was being filed.
Moreover, Deputy Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that there is a possibility of light snowfall in plains of Kashmir while the plains in southern and northern districts may receive light to moderate snowfall till tomorrow.
He added that the higher reaches of Kashmir would also receive light to moderate snowfall.
He also said that the night temperature would plummet further across Kashmir in coming days as there is no forecast of any major wet spell till January 07 next year.
The snowfall has led to the closure of major roads in Kashmir including Srinagar-Jammu highway, Srinagar-Leh highway, Bandipora-Gurez road, Mughal road and others.
Jammu-Srinagar highway has been closed due to heavy rainfall at Cafeteria Morh, near Ramban, while higher reaches of Pir Panjal mountain range received heavy snowfall, resulting in the closure of Mughal road, officials said.
Officials said that due to fresh snowfall, Karnah-Kupwara, Gurez-Bandipora roads and Srinagar-Leh highway have been closed as precautionary measures.
Moreover, Sonamarg-Zojila road was also closed after fresh snowfall at Zojila in Ganderbal district.
Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has issued helpline numbers, asking the general public to contact the officers mentioned in case of any assistance.
The district administration Ganderbal has also issued an advisory, asking people to avoid venturing out in landslide prone areas.
“In view of the weather advisory issued by the Indian Meteorological Department, general public of Kangan Sub-Division and those living in higher reaches of the district are advised to remain cautious and not to venture out in slopes, hilly areas or flood/landslide prone areas till weather improves,” the advisory reads.
Municipal Council, Baramulla and Sopore in north Kashmir also issued helpline numbers for the general public, requiring assistance in view of the prevalent weather situation and to facilitate the movement of the public.
The general public have been asked to contact the following numbers in case of eventualities. For Baramulla, the helpline numbers are : 9469099988, 9419405699, 7006830599, 6005838686,9419046071 and 70062 82550. Similarly, for Sopore, the numbers are : 7006409155, 7006960388, 7006616552, 7780815655 and 7006104721.
Mughal Road, Leh Highway Closed
Mughal road, connecting twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri with Shopian, as well as Srinagar-Leh highway were closed 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 to fresh snowfall,” the official said.
He said subject to fair weather and road clearance, LMVs Passenger and Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar highway viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. “TCU Jammu/Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic.” (With inputs from KNO)
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