Fresh snowfall on upper reaches, rain in plains in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg and tourist resort of Pahalgam and other heights experienced fresh snowfall while plains, including summer capital, Srinagar, had rains since early this morning.
People in Kargil and Leh continued to shiver as the minimum temperature remained minus 19 degree and minus 15 degree respectively while the night temperature recorded witnessed improvement in the Kashmir valley.
A Met department spokesman said rain or snow could continue in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours. However, the weather will remain dry during the subsequent four days. Gulmarg slopes, already under about four feet of white powder, received about one feet of fresh snowfall since early this morning. The upper reaches, including Khilanmarg, Kongdori and Affarwat, the highest skiing point connected by Cable Car, received moderate to heavy snowfall. Met spokesman said the minimum temperature at famed ski resort was minus 6.6 degree, about one and half a degree above normal.
The upper reaches in the north Kashmir, including Sadhna and Razdan passes, Keran, Karnah and other areas near the Line of Control (LoC) also received fresh one feet to two feet snowfall. However, the plains in the north Kashmir received rain and snow.
Kupwara recorded minus 0.1 degree, about two notches above normal after few inches of fresh snowfall. Tree tops and roof tops besides open fields had turned white due to few inches of fresh snowfall at Pahalgam, base camp of holy Amarnath cave shrine. Heavy to very heavy snowfall was recorded at cave shrine and its periphery, Sheshnag, Mahaguns, Panjterni, Pisso top and Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on traditional yatra route.
Met spokesman said there was considerable improvement in the minimum temperature at Pahalgam. Against yesterday’s minus 6.5 degree night temperature it was minus 1 degree, six notches above normal due to cloudy weather.
Shopian, Kulgam heights and several places on Mughal road, connecting the south Kashmir with Jammu region, also received moderate to heavy snowfall. A number of plain areas also received light snow and rain.
Qazigund, gateway of Kashmir on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, recorded minus 2.8 degree against yesterday’s minus 3.4 degree.
Srinagar, the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir, received rains this morning resulting in cold after witnessing improvement in the night temperature. Against yesterday’s minus 1.5 degree minimum temperature it was minus 0.9 degree which is being considered normal during this period of the winter. (AGENCIES)