Srinagar, Nov 14: Higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall while the plains were hit by moderate rains on Monday.
The Meteorological Department has forecast improvement in prevailing weather conditions from Tuesday onwards, officials said.
Director Meteorological Department, Kashmir, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that as forecasted plains in Kashmir witnessed intermittent rains while upper reaches received moderate snowfall till Monday late evening.
“We are expecting significant improvement in prevailing weather conditions from Tuesday and thereafter there is no forecast of any major adverse weather activity till November 18,” Lotus said.
As per MeT data, ski-resort Gulmarg in Baramulla recorded fresh snowfall of 5-6 inches, Machil 3 inches, Sonamarg 5 inches, Yousmarg 3 inches, Sinton Top 2 inches, Minimarg 5 inches, Sadhna Top 2 inches, Zojila Pass 5 inches, and Drass in Ladakh region received light snowfall till Monday evening.
Meanwhile, intermittent rains continued in the plains throughout the day.
Srinagar received 4.8 millimeters of rainfall between 8:30 am to 5:30 pm on Monday. Qazigund 0.8 mm, Pahalgam 6.4 mm, Gulmarg 5.8 mm, Kokernag 1.3 mm, and Banihal recorded 9.6 mm of rainfall till Monday evening.
Meanwhile, minimum temperature dipped in the valley due to snowfall in higher reaches.
On Monday, Srinagar recorded 8.5 °C as the maximum and 3.5°C as the minimum temperature. Ski-resort Gulmarg recorded 0.6 °C as maximum temperature and minus 0.3°C as the minimum temperature and was the coldest place in Kashmir.
Health resort Pahalgam recorded 9.4 °C and a minimum of minus 0.6 °C degrees. Qazigund recorded a maximum of 13.4°C and minus 0.2° C as minimum temperature.
Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded maximum temperatures of 4.3°C, while minimum temperatures settled at minus 1.1°C respectively.
Dense fog continued to engulf many parts including the city as a consequence of which vehicles moved with headlights on during the morning and evening hours.
Vehicular traffic movement on Srinagar Jammu National Highway remained disrupted for several hours on Monday due to landslides and shooting stones along several locations along the highway, officials said.
A senior traffic police official told Rising Kashmir that vehicular traffic was disrupted for several hours at Panthyal Chanderkot and Banihal due to shooting stones and mudslides.
“Around 2pm, the debris were cleared and traffic was restored on the highway,” he said.
The official said subject to fair weather and road clearance, light motor vehicles (passenger and private cars) shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar on Tuesday.
“However, people are advised to undertake the journey on NHW-44 (Jammu-Srinagar national highway) only after confirming the status of the road from Traffic control units,” he said
