Cold wave intensifies; Kashmir valley cut off

New Delhi, Dec 21 (UNI) The cold wave intensified its icy grip on Northern India today as the Kashmir valley was cut off from the rest of the country following the closure of the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway due to landslides and shooting of stones.

The highway, only road linking the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, was closed for traffic this morning after landslides and shooting of stones triggered by heavy rains since early this morning.

Reports of heavy felling of stones were received from the Penthal area on the highway, making the movement of vehicles risky.

The highway reopened only last week for one-way after remaining closed for several days.

Fresh snowfall occurred in Kashmir valley on the first day of the 40-day challai Kalan, disrupting normal life.

However, snowfall was followed by rains disrupting normal life as almost all the roads in the city were submerged under water.

During the Challai Kallan, the temperature goes down to minus five degree to seven degree.

Traffic movement in the city, particuarly in the uptown, including Natipora, Chanapora, Rambagh, Meethan, Bemina, Banapora, Nowgam and Badshah Nagar was disrupted for several hours owing to damaged roads.

Fresh snowfall was experienced at tourist resort of Pahalgam, Deksum, Aahrabal and Shopian. About one to two feet of snowfall was also recorded at holy Amarnath cave and its periphery, Sheshnag, Mahaguns, Panjtherni and Pissu top.

The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg is also experiencing snowfall since early morning, much to the delight of tourists.

Kargil and Drass, the second coldest place in the world were reeling under severe cold as the temperature dipped to minus 17 degree.

Delhi witnessed another foggy day as visibility levels reduced during the morning hours even as the mercury rose to 8.3 degrees Celsius.

The fog led to a drop in visibility to nearly 200 m during morning hours. However, there were no flight delays at the international airport due to fog.

The minimum temperature today rose to 8.3 degrees, from 7.8 degrees yesterday. The maximum also rose to 24 degree C, from 22.7 degrees yesterday.

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