Season's first snowfall in Kashmir; temperatures dip

Srinagar, Sep 4 (UNI) The upper reaches of the Kashmir valley have experienced the season's first snowfall, resulting in considerable drop in temperatures forcing the people to wear woolens and jackets.

Reports received here said the world famous ski resort of Gulmarg received eight inches of snowfall since last evening.

Gurez in north Kashmir's Baramulla district and Sadhna Top in Kupwara also received snowfall.

Reports said heavy snowfall was recorded at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath, Sheshnag, Mahagunas, Baltal, Panjhtarni, Pissu Top, Khilanmarg, Yusmarg, Sonamarg, Baltal, Apharwat, Kongdoori, Thwaja, Gogjipather, Alepather, Bavsar and Lidru besides several other high altitude areas.

More than two ft of snowfall was recorded in Kargil district's Drass area, the second coldest place on earth after Siberia.

Cold weather conditions were prevailing in the entire Kashmir valley since early Friday morning.

However, weather conditions improved last evening as the Sun emerged from dark clouds after three days of incessant rainfall.

The emergence of Sun after heavy overcast conditions and uninterrupted rainfall bought the much-needed relief to the people.

However, the water continued to rise in river Jhelum and other streams and nullahs.

Met office here predicted more heavy rains across the state during the next 24 hours.

It said the rainfall recorded this time was the highest in the month of September during the past 26 years. Earlier, heavy rains of this magnitude were recorded in 1980, the Met office added.

UNI AG PA DS1405