Srinagar, Jan 26: After the gap of 57 days, higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Friday, while the Meteorological Department has forecasted another wet spell from January 28th in the Himalayan region, officials said.
Director MeT Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that as forecasted higher reaches witnessed light snowfall including Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Gurez, Doodpathri, Banihal along with other areas received a thin cover of snow during the night.
“On January 27, weather will remain partly to generally cloudy with possibility of light snow at isolated higher reaches towards late evening. From 28-29th January, there is a possibility of light to moderate Rain and snowfall at many places,” he said.
Dr Mukhtar said that there will be significant improvement in visibility and rise in maximum temperature in plains of Jammu Division from Saturday onwards.
Pir Ki Gal area along the Mughal Road received a substantial amount of snowfall, prompting authorities to implement precautionary measures and temporarily suspend vehicular movement.
Meanwhile Mughal Road, connecting Kashmir Valley’s Shopian district with the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch, was closed due to fresh snowfall, while restoration work is underway.
An official from the traffic department said in view of the prevailing weather conditions, traffic has been suspended on both roads. No traffic will be allowed on the highway on Saturday,” he said.
Dry weather and cold continued in the plains and other parts of Kashmir, with a considerable rise in nighttime temperatures.
The weather office has also issued an advisory that the weather system may lead to the temporary closure of roads in higher reaches and important passes, including Sinthan Pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna and Razdan Pass, Zojila, etc., particularly during January 28–31. Travellers are advised to plan accordingly, the MeT office said.
Night temperatures improved in Kashmir Valley on Friday, and Srinagar recorded a low of -0.5°C against the 3.6°C recorded the previous night. It was 1.8°C above normal for the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir during this period of the season, the MeT office said.
Meanwhile, a traffic spokesman said, contingent upon fair weather and favorable road conditions, both Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) would be permitted from both sides on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44). Commuters were urged to adhere to lane discipline.
Additionally, vehicular movement on the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road would be permitted from both directions—Srinagar to Kargil and vice versa.
