Srinagar: The higher reaches of Kashmir valley including the ski resort of Gulmarg experienced a fresh spell of snowfall, while plains were lashed by rains forcing closure of several roads in the Union Territory on Friday.
The historical Mughal road connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Poonch in Jammu division, Bandipora-Gurez road, Kupwara-Karnah road and Razdan top were closed for vehicular traffic following fresh snowfall today.
Srinagar-Ladakh highway was also closed for vehicular traffic to conduct necessary road repairs at Zojila, Gumri and captain more, traffic officials said. It was raining at several places on the highway, the traffic official added.
About half a foot of snow has accumulated on Razdan top in Bandipora district of north Kashmir, resulting in the closure of road for vehicular traffic. The visibility was also very grim due thick fog there, the traffic official said.
Reports reached here said that upper reaches of Kashmir valley including the ski resort of Gulmarg, Affarwat, Machil, Z Gali, Razdon top, Pisso Top, holy Amarnath route, Bafliaz and Pir Panjal range of mountains received fresh snowfall today.
Official sources said, about two inch of snow has accumulated in the famous ski resort Gulmarg and four inch at Affarwat, much to the joy of tourists staying there. It was still snowing, the sources added.
Meanwhile, the authorities have issued an advisory for the tourists staying in Gulmarg to contact authorities before planning any travel trip. Help line telephone numbers were issued in view of any emergency, the sources said.
Reports of snowfall were also received from Baba Reshi and Tangmarg on the Gulmarg route in north Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Srinagar and its adjoining areas were lashed by rains disrupting normal life. The reports of rainfall were received from many district headquarters of the Kashmir valley.
The cold conditions continued in Srinagar and other major parts of the Kashmir valley despite the night temperature showing an upwards trend due to the cloudy sky overnight.
A meteorological department official said, Srinagar recorded a minimum of 5.6 degree Celsius against the 1.8 degree Celsius on the previous night. He said since the sky remained overcast the night temperature improved considerably.
However, the cold conditions continue to prevail in Kashmir valley with overcast sky, he added.
Gulmarg, the world famous ski resort in north Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 1.0 degree Celsius against minus 2.5 Celsius on the previous night, the official said.
He said Qazigund in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of 3.2 degree celsius against the 0.6 degree Celsius a day ago.
Pahalgam, the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 2.2 degree Celsius against minus 2.8 degree celsius on the previous night, he said.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of 3.1 degree celsius against 1.7 degree celsius on the previous night, the official said. (UNI)
