Srinagar, Dec 8: The upper reaches, including world famous ski resort of Gulmarg and tourist resort of Sonamarg, received fresh snowfall while rain lashed plains on Tuesday in Kashmir valley, where weather warning was issued for avalanche prone areas till Wednesday.
Meanwhile, barring Gulmarg, the night temperature settled above sub-zero due to overcast conditions across the valley, where moderate to heavy snow and rain is predicted during the next 24 hours under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which is active in the region.
A Met department spokesperson told UNI that heavy rain and snow would occur during the next 24 hours in the upper reaches in the valley. “Moderate rain and snow would occur across the valley till late Wednesday evening, resulting in further dip in the maximum temperature,” he added.
He said another round of wet weather is predicted on Friday and Saturday under the influence of a fresh WD, which originated from the Arabian Sea and is approaching the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Much to the delight of the tourists, Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, received snowfall since last night, resulting in further dip in the maximum and minimum temperature. Kongdori and Apharwat, the highest point of the cable car project in Gulmarg, also received moderate to heavy snowfall. “Despite intermittent snowfall and chilly weather conditions since late last night, the tourists are out on ski slopes, which are already covered under several feet of snow, enjoying different activities,” a hotelier told UNI over the phone.
Gulmarg, which is known for its ski slopes and quality of the snow, was the only place in the valley where the mercury settled below freezing point. The night temperature at the ski resort settled at minus 2.4 degree. Meanwhile, due to slippery road conditions following fresh snowfall, only vehicles fitted chains will be allowed to ply on Tangmarg-Gulmarg road.
Fresh snowfall was also recorded since late last night in tourist resort of Sonmarg on Srinagar-Leh national highway, which has been closed for vehicular movement due to slippery road conditions.
World famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, received rainfall, resulting in dip in the day temperature, which settled below normal. However, the upper reaches in Pahalgam, including Chandanwari, received light to moderate snowfall. Amarnath cave shine and its periphery, besides Sheshnag, Mahagung, Pisso top and Panjterni, also received light to moderate snowfall. The night temperature at Pahalgam was 2.3 degree, which is above normal.
People in the summer capital, Srinagar, woke up to a rainy and chilly Tuesday morning. Light to moderate rain continued throughout the day, resulting in further dip in the maximum temperature. However, the night temperature settled 3 degree above freezing point in the city, where people preferred to stay indoors in view of chilly weather conditions. Auto-drivers and mechanics had burned wood on roadsides in their respective areas to evade the chill.
Fresh snowfall was also recorded in upper areas of Kupwara and Bandipora in north Kashmir, including Gurez, Keran, Karnah, Tanghdar and Machil. Roads to these border areas have been closed for traffic due to slippery conditions and accumulation of fresh snow.
He said that medium danger avalanche warning has been issued for higher reaches of Poonch, Kishtwar in Jammu; Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal in Kashmir. “A low level avalanche warning has been issued for upper reaches of Ramban in Jammu; Anantnag, Kulgam and Baramulla in Kashmir,” he added.
