Srinagar, Dec 16: The higher reaches in Kashmir received fresh snowfall, while light rains lashed plains on Saturday. Cold wave continued in Kashmir valley with further drop in temperatures. The local meteorological department has forecasted improvement in prevailing weather conditions from Sunday forenoon, officials said.
Director MeT Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that under the influence of fresh Western disturbance, light spell of snow was experienced over isolated higher reaches of north and north eastern parts.
He said that the upper reaches, including Pir Ki Gali, Gulmarg, Doodhpathri, Sonamarg, Keran, Machil, Gurez, Drass, Zojila, Matayan, Gumri, Shaitani Nallahand Sinton Top, experienced fresh snowfall, leading to a considerable drop in temperature.
“We expect predominantly dry weather from the 17th to the 23rd of December. However, between the 24th and 26th of Dec, there will be generally cloudy conditions with the potential for light snow in isolated higher elevations. Overall, no significant weather disturbances are expected until the 26th of this month,” he stated.
Mercury plummeted further in south Kashmir but recorded a rise in central and north of Valley with Srinagar recording a low minus 1.3°C on Saturday.
The minimum temperature in Srinagar was below normal by 0.3°C. Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 3.8°C. Qazigund settled at 2.7°C and Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 5.1°C.
Kokernag recorded a minimum of minus 3.6°C against minus 1.9°C and Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 1.7°C. Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 2.8°C and temperature was 1.4°C above normal for the world-famous skiing resort in north Kashmir.
Jammu recorded a minimum of 5.9°C. Banihal recorded minus 1.2°C, Batote 2.5°C and Bhaderwah o.2°C respectively.
Due to snowfall in higher regions, cold winds swept across the Kashmir valley.
The historic Mughal Road has been closed for traffic due to fresh snowfall while movement continues to remain suspended on the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road due to snow accumulation, officials said.
A traffic police official said that the Mughal Road which connects Shopian in Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu division was closed for traffic after fresh snowfall.
DySP PC Surankote Hamid Ali Bandey said that the road has been closed due to fresh snowfall in the region. He said that traffic has not been released yet due to snow accumulation. Clearance work is going on, traffic will be released, DySp said.
However, traffic is plying both ways on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
