Fresh snowfall on upper reaches, plains lashed by rains in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 13 (UNI) The upper reaches in the Kashmir valley experienced fresh snowfall while plains had heavy rains resulting in drop of temperature, much to the delight of locals and tourists.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 16.2, two degree below normal, as rainfall received was till 1130 hours was 38.6 mm, a spokesman for the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) told UNI.

He said the sky will remain generally cloudy with rains at some places on Pahalgam-Amarnath cave shrine route.

Official sources said the upper reaches in the Kashmir valley experienced snowfall since early this morning.

Sources said there was snowfall at holy Amarnath cave shrine and its periphery. The Mahaguns top, Panjtherni and Sangam top enroute the caves also experienced snowfall forcing authorities to stop their pilgrimage.

A report from world famous ski resort of Gulmarg said it was heavily raining since morning. There was light snowfall on the upper reaches, it said.

Srinagar and other plain areas were also lashed by heavy rains disrupting normal life as almost all raods were under water.

The water level in river Jhelum and its tributaries has also increased though it was still several feet below danger mark.

The upper reaches in Kargil and Leh have also been experiencing light snowfall since last evening, official sources said. However, the 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway was through for traffic.

UNI BAS PR BD1443