Srinagar, Feb 21: Several areas in Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Friday, while the plains experienced intermittent rain. The MeT department has forecasted another spell of rain, snowfall between 26-28th February in the region, officials said.
Tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam saw fresh overnight snowfall. Other areas, including Anantnag, Zojila Pass, Banihal, Sadhna Pass, Machil in Kupwara, and Razdan Pass in Bandipora, also received snowfall. Meanwhile, Srinagar and other plains were lashed by intermittent rain overnight.
According to the Meteorological Department, Kashmir experienced light to moderate rain in the plains and light to moderate snowfall in higher reaches over the past 24 hours, with some areas receiving heavy snowfall.
Director MeT, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, told Rising Kashmir that the weather will remain mostly dry from February 21-24, but light to moderate rain or snow is expected from February 25-28, with isolated heavy snowfall in some areas.
Kokernag recorded 27.2 mm of rain and 2 cm of snow, while Gulmarg received 7.8 mm of rain and 7 cm of snowfall. In Jammu, Banihal recorded 38.9 mm of rain and 15 cm of snow, while Bhaderwah saw 41 mm of rain and 9 cm of snowfall.
This winter, Kashmir has seen 80% less precipitation than usual. However, the recent and forecasted snowfall have raised hopes of reducing the deficit.
Meanwhile, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway reopened on Friday morning after being closed overnight due to snowfall in the Banihal sector. Traffic was suspended at 7 pm on Thursday due to slippery road conditions between Ramsoo and Banihal, leaving over 300 vehicles stranded.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Traffic, National Highway, S.P. Singh, said snow clearance operations began Thursday evening, allowing most stranded vehicles to move. With improved weather on Friday morning, clearance efforts were sped up, and two-way traffic resumed smoothly.
On Saturday, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars/HMVs shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44).
While only one way traffic for LMVs followed by HMVs (upto 06 tyres) with Anti-skid chains from Srinagar towards Kargil shall be allowed on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road.
“These vehicles shall be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil between 1000 hrs to 1500 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timing. Motorists are advised to carry anti-skid chains to gain more grip on the slippery road,” the spokesman said.
