Ski resort Khilanmarg, upper reaches in Kashmir experience snowfall

Srinagar, Oct 21 (UNI) The world famous ski resort of Khilanmarg and all upper reaches in the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region experienced fresh snowfall, resulting in considerable drop in the temperature.

However, the 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway remained open despite light snowfall at Zojilla. Authorities have announced to close the highway from October 31 for six months to avoid any tragedy due to early snowfall.

'' It is snowing in Khilanmarg and Apharwat, the highest point of the cable car project in Gulmarg, besides other upper reaches,'' an official of the tourism department told UNI over phone.

He said about six inches of snow have accumulated on the slopes at Khilanmarg and Apharwat since early this morning. However, Gulmarg was still waiting for the first snowfall of the season, he added.

'' We expect a snowfall in the first week of November,'' the official said and expressed the hope that as a large number of skiers, adventure lovers and other tourists from different states would visit the famed ski resort during winter months.'' Gulmarg witnessed a record number of tourists last winter after more than 16 years. However, in view of the holy month of Ramzan, only few tourists visited the tourist resort during the past one month, he said.

The holy Amarnath cave shrine and its periphery witnessed heavy snowfall, a report said. There was also snowfall at Panjtherni, Sheshnag, Mahaguns and Pisso top since early this morning.

The upper reaches in Baramulla, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kupwara and Badgam also experienced snowfall, while plains have received light rains, resulting in the considerable drop in the temperature.

Authorities have claimed to have stocked all essential commodities in some areas in north Kashmir which remain cut off from the rest of the state during the winter months due to heavy snowfall.

However, stocking of flour in these areas would be completed in the first week of November, they added.

A UNI report from Kargil said that the upper reaches in the Kargil and Drass also recorded the seasons' first heavy snowfall since last evening.

However, Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, received rains resulting in the considerable drop in the temperature.

UNI BAS HS HT1517