Srinagar: Several locations across Kashmir including the famous ski-resort, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg experienced fresh snowfall on Sunday.
The northern parts of Kashmir valley including Karnah and Machil in the border district of Kupwara received moderate snowfall. About a foot of snow was accumulated at these places.
Gulmarg in north Kashmir received fresh snowfall much to the delight of the tourists visiting there. The tourists were seen enjoying the snow, clicking memorable pictures in the background of snow clad tall trees and mountains.
Sonamarg in the central Kashmir district of Ganderbal also received moderate snowfall resulting in the closure of Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) road connecting Zojila pass on the Leh Highway. With freezing temperatures at Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, Ladakh highway also experienced fresh snowfall since Sunday morning, reports said.
Pahalgam, Betab Valley, Chandanwari and cave shrine of Amarnath also received light to moderate snowfall today. Tourists were seen enjoying the snow at Pahalgam in south Kashmir. Srinagar and other parts of the valley remained overcast coupled with freezing cold conditions and fog. Meteorological forecast of moderate Snowfall very likely at many places over higher reaches while Light snow possible in plains of Kashmir from Sunday evening with main activity from tonight.
Light Snowfall/(rain in plains of Jammu) at many places of J&K on January 9 while the sky generally will remain cloudy on January 10-11. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, had a low of minus 0.1 degree Celsius on Sunday against the minus 1.4 degree Celsius the previous night.
It was 1.8 degrees above normal during this period of the season. Tourist hot spot of Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 1.4 degree Celsius against minus 2.8 degree Celsius a day ago. It was 5.6 degrees above normal during this period of the season for the valley of shepherds.
Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.7 degree Celsius on Sunday against minus 2.6 degree Celsius recorded the previous night.
It was 4.4 degrees above normal for the valley of meadows. Qazigund on Srinagar-Jammu national highway had a low of minus 1.3 degree Celsius while Kokernag recorded a low of minus 1.6 degree Celsius on Sunday.
The frontier Kashmir district of Kupwara recorded a low of minus 0.4 degree Celsius against the minus 2.6 degree Celsius on Sunday, the MeT office said.
Meanwhile, the traffic on Gurez-Bandipora road was also suspended following a fresh snowfall on Razdan top in Bandipora district of north Kashmir.