SRINAGAR: The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg and other upper reaches in the Kashmir valley received fresh snowfall resulting in drop in the maximum temperature though night witnessed considerable improvement and the minimum temperature was above normal.
Though sun made brief appearance today but bone-chilling icy cold winds also continued, forcing people to wear woolen clothes, a day before the 40-day-long Chilai-e-Kalan (CeK), harshest period of winter ends.
A Met department spokesperson said widespread rain or snow could occur today and tomorrow in the Kashmir and Jammu region while there is possibility of scattered rain or snow in Ladakh region during the period.
About half-a-feet of fresh snow had accumulated on the ski slopes, already under several feet of white powder, an official of tourism department told UNI over phone from Gulmarg. Tourists, skiers and other adventure lovers have been out on the slopes since this morning, he said.
However, he said in the upper heights, including Khilanmarg, Kongdori and Affarwat, the highest skiing point connected through Cable Car, received moderate to heavy snowfall, much to the delight of those associated with tourism industry, who otherwise were worried due to almost dry or very less snowfall during the months of December and January.
Against yesterday’s minus 6 degree temperature, the minimum temperature at Gulmarg was minus 3.2 degree, four notches above normal. Though the maximum temperature yesterday was a notch above normal but today it has witnessed a drop.(agencies)
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