Kashmir, few upper reaches of Jammu receive season’s 1st snowfall
*52 stranded tourists rescued in Budgam
Fayaz Bukhari/Govind Sharma
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Dec 29: Kashmir as well as some upper reaches of Jammu region received the first snowfall of the season while plains of Jammu experienced light rainfall today bringing down the temperatures across the region with weatherman forecasting improvement in weather conditions from tomorrow.
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Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, the famous tourist destinations of Kashmir and Gurez and other areas in the hills of Kashmir received fresh snowfall today. Almost 3 inches of snow accumulated in Gulmarg while two inches of snowfall was reported in higher reaches of north including Gurez, Sadhna Top and others.
Four inches of snowfall accumulated on Mughal Road, Sinthan Top and Margan Top while Pahalgam received light snowfall and in Sonamarg two inches of snow had accumulated. Srinagar and other parts of the Valley had season’s first snowfall this evening. A couple of inches snow was reported in the Valley this evening and it was snowing till late night.
It started snowing in the Valley in the evening and at places a couple of inches of snow accumulated making the roads slippery. People rushed to their homes early to avoid trouble on the roads.
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 district may receive light to moderate snowfall till tomorrow. He added that the higher reaches of Kashmir would also receive light to moderate snowfall.
Dr Ahmad 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 7 next year.
The snowfall led to the closure of major roads in Kashmir including Srinagar-Leh highway and Bandipora-Gurez Road. The fresh snowfall in the hills led to closure of Karnah-Kupwara and Gurez-Bandipora roads as well. 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.
Plains of Jammu received light rains since this evening while some higher reaches in Poonch, Rajouri and Ramban districts including Patnitop, Natha Top, Maho-Mangit area of Ramban experienced light rainfall. Due to fresh snowfall at Pir Ki Gali and adjoining areas, historical Mughal Road, connecting Poonch-Rajouri districts with Kashmir valley was also closed for traffic movement. However, despite rains, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was opened for vehicular traffic from both sides.
Official sources said that as predicted by Meteorological Department, there was fresh snowfall on Mughal Road this afternoon after which authorities decided to shut road for safety of passengers. Sources said that the road may remain close for few months now following heavy snowfall but it will be decided after accessing the condition, though the road can be open again for traffic.
Deputy SP Traffic Rajouri-Poonch, Syed Aftab Bukhari said that more than 350 vehicles passed through Mughal Road today till afternoon, after which road was closed following fresh snowfall.
Meanwhile, due to cloudy and rainy weather, fog disappears from plains in Jammu and visibility improved to a great extent. However, as per the weatherman, fog may develop again from 1st January.
A Meteorological Department official said that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.2°C against last night’s temperature of minus 5.6°C. The temperature was 1.1°C below normal for the city. Srinagar has so far seen the coldest temperature this season on December 25 when mercury plummeted to minus 5.8°C.
Qazigund recorded a low of minus 3.2°C against minus 5.0°C on the previous night. The temperature was 0.9°C below normal for the town. Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 4.5°C against minus 7.4°C on the previous night which was coldest recorded so far this season in the tourist resort. The latest minimum temperature was 0.7°C above normal.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 2.3°C against minus 3.4°C on the previous night. It was 0.4°C above normal for the place. Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 4.8°C against minus 6.0°C on the previous night. It was 1.4°C above normal for the skiing resort. In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 3.3°C against minus 5.5°C on the previous night. It was 0.8°C above normal.
Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 12.6°C and 10.8°C, respectively while the minimum temperature in Jammu was recorded at 6.0 degree C and -0.2 in Banihal while Bhaderwah shivered at 0.6 degree C. Batote recorded minimum temperature of 2.1 degree C whereas Katra recorded a minimum of 7.6 degree C.
Kashmir is under Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21 and will end on Jan 30. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bacha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.
Meanwhile, police rescued 52 tourists stranded due to snowfall at Parihaas Doodhpathri in Budgam district today, an official said.
The police received information that some tourists were stuck at Parihaaas Doodhpathri due to the sudden snowfall, a police spokesperson said.
Accordingly, a team from Khansahib Police Station and personnel deployed on guard duty at Tangnar Doodhpathri were deputed for the rescue mission, he said.
The rescued tourists were provided with the necessary assistance and later shifted to safe accommodations at Tangnar Budgam, the spokesperson said.
Similar help was provided to the needy in the district’s other locations, including Yousmarg and Khag, among others.
The rescued tourists expressed their gratitude towards the police for their timely help, the spokesperson added.
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