Fresh snowfall blankets higher reaches in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 30: Higher reaches experienced fresh snowfall, while light rain lashed plains in many parts of north Kashmir on Wednesday. The Meteorological Department has predicted prevailing weather conditions will continue till 4th February in the Valley, officials said.
Ski resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, Gurez in Bandipora, Machil in Kupwara, Tangdar, and Sonamarg in Ganderbal, Peer Ki Gali, Sinthon Top, Machil and Lolab valley received light snowfall till late Wednesday evening. While isolated places of in north Kashmir received light rain.
Scores of tourists thronged to Gulmarg and Sonarmarg as the region experienced a fresh spell of snowfall.
Director Indian Meteorological Centre Kashmir, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that higher reaches of Kupwara, Budgam, Baramulla Bandipora, Ganderbal, Shopian, and other places experienced fresh light snowfall on Sunday and isolated places in plains received light rain.
“We are expecting generally cloudy with light rain over few areas of plains & hilly areas of Jammu division & light rain and snowfall (higher reaches) over few places of Kashmir division during late till 04 February,” he said.
Dr Mukhtar said as expected, there are will be rise in minimum temperature by 2-4°C at many places till 5th February.
The 40-day harsh period of winter ‘Chillai-Kalan’ that ended and recorded only one spell of snowfall in the region.
As per MeT department officials, during the Chillai Kalan, valley experienced no precipitation, with minimal snowfall in plain areas and below-average snowfall in higher reaches
The dry and snowless winter in Kashmir has resulted in freezing nights and unusually warmer days, with Srinagar’s daytime temperatures consistently exceeding 4-5 degrees above normal for this time of year.
The region has been grappling with a prolonged dry spell, witnessing a significant 80 percent rainfall deficit in December.
As per the traffic department advisory, following the fresh snowfall along Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri Road and Mughal Road, no traffic will be allowed on these highways on Thursday.
“Traffic is normally plying on NH-44 Srinagar-Jammu highway, Mughal road still blocked & Traffic could not be released on SSG road due to slippery conditions,” the spokesman said.
He said subject to fair weather and better road conditions on Thursday LMVs (Passenger) shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. TCU Jammu/ Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic.