• MeT forecasts mainly dry weather till Dec 20
• Traffic suspended Srinagar-Sonamarg, Mughal roads
• Cold breeze hits Valley following dip in temperatures
• Snowfall cleared on all major roads in Bla
Srinagar, Dec 12: Parts of the plains in Kashmir received the first snowfall of the season on Thursday, bringing much-needed relief to residents. The snow, which began late Wednesday night and contin-ued through Thursday morning, was welcomed by locals and tourists alike. the meteorological department has forecasted improvement in prevailing weather condi-tions from Friday onwards till December 20 .
According to the Meteorological (MeT) department, Sonamarg experienced around 10 inches of snow, while Zojila Pass recorded 12 inches. Other areas such as Z Gali and Sadhna Pass recorded 11 and 13 inches respectively. Sinthan Top, Margan Top, Peer Ki Gali, and Tangmarg also re-ceived significant snowfall, with some areas in Kulgam, Shopian, and Pahalgam recording up to 4 inches. The snowfall led to a considerable drop in temperatures across the region.
Director MeT Srinagar, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that under the influence of fresh Western disturbance, fresh light snow spell was experienced over isolated higher reaches of north and north eastern parts in Valley till Thursday morning.
“We are expecting generally cloudy with light rain, light snow (higher reaches) at many places of Kashmir and few places of Jammu division during the next 24 hours in the region,” he said.
Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said from December 13, weather will remain generally dry till December 20 and there will be considerable drop in minimum temperatures.
Meanwhile, Baramulla administration cleared snow from all the major roads in Baramulla including Narbal-Gulmarg. Snow cutter machines strategically deployed by distt admin for clearing snow off the roads.
A police traffic spokesman said that from the past 24 hours, there was slow movement observed on NH-44 due to breakdown of HMVs, single lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad and between Marog & Kishtwari Pather.
On Srinagar-Jammu highway, subject to fair weather and better road conditions LMVs and HMVs shall be allowed from both sides on the highway and TCU Jammu/Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban for road condition.
It further said that security Forces vehicles shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44) viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa.
The Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari highway, Mughal road and Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road remained closed for 2nd day on Thursday leav-ing hundreds of HMV’s stranded on these highways due to snow accu-mulation. Traffic will be released after getting a green signal from road maintenance agencies, the advisory said.
