Fresh snowfall in hills of Kashmir, temp dips

White blanket as Sonamarg receives fresh snowfall on Saturday
White blanket as Sonamarg receives fresh snowfall on Saturday

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 16: Kashmir’s upper reaches, including Gurez, Tanghdar, and Gulmarg, received fresh snowfall today, while the Valley including Srinagar city, experienced rainfall.
The snowfall led to the closure of several roads leading to hilly areas, including Gurez and Karnah. “Snow clearance operations are underway to restore connectivity,” an official said.
Gulmarg experienced the season’s first snowfall today where nearly three inches of snowfall accumulated till this evening. Pir Ki Gali has also received a snowfall of six inches while Sonamarg received a snowfall of four inches.

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In view of slippery road conditions caused by the ongoing snowfall, Traffic Police issued an advisory for motorists. The advisory permits only 4X4 vehicles or those equipped with anti-skid chains, with a seating capacity of no more than 10 seats, on specific hilly roads.
These include Tangmarg-Gulmarg, Mughal Road, Zojila, Sinthan, Gurez-Bandipora, Pahalgam-Chandanwari, Kupwara-Karnah, and Kupwara -Machil.

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“Weather is expected to remain generally dry between November 17 and 23, with isolated light rain or snow on November 24,” the official said.
“Travelers are advised to plan trips accordingly due to possible disruptions in surface transportation over passes like Zojila, Razdan, Sadhna Sinthan, and Mughal Road,” it added.

Fresh snowfall at Gulmarg on Saturday. - Excelsior/Aabid Nabi
Fresh snowfall at Gulmarg on Saturday.
– Excelsior/Aabid Nabi

The Meteorological department (MeT) has forecast generally cloudy weather with the possibility of light rain and snow over higher reaches at many places of Kashmir and few places of Jammu division till tomorrow afternoon.
Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad stated there is a possibility of generally dry weather from November 17th to 23rd. He also said that amidst cloudy weather, the light rain and snow over higher reaches at isolated places are expected on November 24.
The MeT has issued an advisory, advising the tourists, trekkers and travellers to plan accordingly.