SRINAGAR: Srinagar, the summer capital of Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir, and other plains received light snowfall and rain on Saturday when the upper heights, including world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, had experienced heavy to moderate snowfall since Friday night.
Dozens of road leading to far flung and remote villages, including near the Line of Control (LoC) besides Keran, Machil and Gurez, were closed due to fresh snowfall since Friday night.
A Met department spokesman said Saturday that there could be moderate rain, snow and thunder showers over Jammu and Kashmir divisions during the next 24 hours. However, the weather will remain mainly dry during the subsequent two days, he added.
After recording yet another above normal temperature during the night, people woke up to a cold morning due to drop in the temperature after rain coupled with winds. This was however, followed by snow in the valley resulting in more chill. People were again seen wearing warm jackets and heavy woollen clothes today after enjoying about a week-long pleasant weather.
Today was the last day of three “ Chilais” which began from December 21st last year. However, the 40-day-long Chilai-Kalan was harshest as valley experienced heavy snowfall and cold, breaking the three decade old record in December last year and January this year. This was followed by 20-day-long Chilai Khurd and ten day-long Chilai Bacha ended today.
Srinagar and its adjoining areas witnessed rain this morning which was followed by light snowfall, disrupting normal life. This was again followed by rain in the city, where majority areas in the uptown, including Budshah Nagar, Azad Basti Natipora witnessed major power breakdown since 0300 hrs till the time this report was filed.
There was a major drop in the minimum temperature in Srinagar though it was still above normal. Against yesterdays 8 degree minimum temperature in Srinagar it was 4.7 degree, which was still 3.2 notches above normal. The sky would be partly to generally cloudy and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 10 degree and 4 degree during the next 24 hours in Srinagar.
Snowfall continued for the second day today at world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, where second edition of the Khelo India Winter Games are going on. Games started yesterday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi e-inaugurated the five day games from New Delhi and wished participants a success.
The Mechanical division had to press into service machines to clear the snow in Gulmarg. Tangmar and other nearby plains also received snowfall. Met spokesman said recorded minus 2.2 degree minimum temperature after fresh snowfall.
The upper heights in the north Kashmir, including the areas near the LoC also received moderate to heavy snowfall.
Moderate to heavy snowfall was also received at Pahglam, Sonmarg, Yusmarg, Kangan, Mughal road and Ahrabal.
Similarly upper reaches in Badgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian also received fresh snowfall. (
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