SRINAGAR : Fresh snowfall was experienced at Kargil, a border town on the national highway, connecting the Ladakh region with the rest of the State, resulting in drop in the temperature.
Fresh snowfall has hampered snow clearance operation started by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on the highway, which remained closed since December last year. A report from Kargil said the main town received more than six inches of fresh snowfall since early this morning resulting in drop in the temperature.
Against yesterday’s 3 degree minimum temperature it was 1.8 degree in the border town today. Kargil recorded coldest night on February 6 when the mercury dipped to minus 21 degree. Report said the upper reaches, including Tiger hills and Tuloling, received several feet of fresh snowfall. However, despite all odds security forces remained deployed on the Line of Control (LoC) to foil any attempt by militants to create 1990 situation when all heights in the area were occupied by Pakistani intruders. It took about five months to Indian troops to reoccupy the heights again.
Meenmarg and other areas, particularly Zojilla pass, on the Srinagar-Leh national highway also received fresh snowfall. Untimely snowfall during the month will hit the apricot crop, experts said.
Meanwhile, fresh snowfall had hampered snow clearance operation started by BRO from both sides of Zojila pass. Snow clearance has already been completed from Srinagar-Sonmarg and still there was about eight km to reach Gumri. However, long snow walls could be seen on both sides of the road.
Similarly, snow clearance operation was going on war footing from Zero point on the other side of the Zojila pass. (AGENCIES)