Gulmarg receives season’s first snowfall

Srinagar, Sept 24 : The higher reaches of the ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir received the season’s first snowfall on Sunday night, Met officials said. With the occurrence of early snowfall , the winter season has knocked at the doors in the valley.
The Met officials said that the temperature was likely to see a decrease in coming days.
Director Meteorological department centre Kashmir, Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that upper reaches of Gulmarg including the Afarwat mountain range received light snowfall and rainfall till Sunday morning.
“Today, the season’s first snowfall occurred over higher reaches of Gulmarg. The maximum temperature of Gulmarg was recorded at 15°C which is 3°C lower than Saturday. He said in the coming days, there will be a slight decrease in day temperatures in the valley and evenings will be colder,” he said.
Lotus said overall, there is no forecast of any major rain, snowfall for the next one week. A brief spell of light rain (snow over higher reaches) at isolated places cannot be ruled out on certain days, in Jammu region, although chances are less, he said.
Director MeT said the upcoming weather pattern indicates that the region will experience predominantly dry weather with above-average temperatures for the next 7 days.
He further said these weather conditions would be highly conducive for harvesting activities and various outdoor pursuits. Local residents and farmers can expect a period of clear skies and sunny days during this period, Lotus said.
Lotus said that July recorded excess rainfall. August & September received deficit rainfall in J&K and Ladakh and it will continue for at least next 7 days.
Over the past several weeks, Kashmir is witnessing a significant rise in day temperatures. Srinagar recorded 25.7°C as maximum temperature and 11.8°C as minimum temperature.
Ski resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir was the coldest with a high of 15 degrees Celsius and 3 as minimum temperature.
Met officials revealed that health resort Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded 19.4 C as maximum temperature and 11.0°C as minimum temperature respectively. Jammu recorded 32.2°C as maximum temperature and 22.2 as minimum temperatures.
Banihal recorded 30.3°C as maximum temperature and 13.6 as minimum temperatures.
The traffic movement on Srinagar-Jammu highway was normal as it was restored from both sides on Saturday late night.
Meanwhile, a traffic police spokesman said that subject to fair weather and better road conditions on Sunday LMVs Passenger/Private Cars/HMVs/Load Carriers shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44) viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. Commuters are advised to follow lane discipline, he said.
On Sonamarg-Leh road, vehicular movement shall be allowed from both sides viz Srinagar towards Kargil and vice-versa. LMVs followed by HMVs shall be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar at 0730 hrs. to 1100 hrs. Similarly, LMVs followed by HMVs shall be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil at 1300 hrs to 1700 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timings, the spokesman said.
“ SFs Convoy, plying from Srinagar to Kargil, shall leave Srinagar at 0800 hrs. SFs Convoy plying from Drass to Srinagar shall plan their movement in such a manner so that Civil Traffic doesn’t get disturbed,” spokesman said.
On Mughal Road, vehicular movement on Mughal Road shall be allowed from both sides viz. Poonch towards Shopian and vice versa. These vehicles shall be allowed from Behramgalla (Buffliaz) and Herpora (Shopian) at 0600 hrs. up to 1800 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timings, it said.