Kashmir receives snowfall after long dry spell

Srinagar, Jan 19 (UNI) The upper reaches in the valley experienced heavy snowfall while most parts in north Kashmir, including world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, had light snowfall.

Several roads to far-flung and border areas, including Keran and Karnah, were closed due to heavy snowfall.

Western disturbances from north Pakistan finally caused heavy snowfall on the upper reaches in the Kashmir valley. However, the snowfall resulted in a drop in the maximum temperature, which was three to four degree above normal during the past two weeks, dropping.

There was however considerable improvement in the minimum temperature, a weather office spokesman said.

He said the night temperature was recorded at minus 0.8 degree, which was about one degree above normal. Sunday last witnessed coldest night when the temperature dipped to minus six degree, four degree below normal.

A report from Baramulla said about two and half feet of fresh snowfall was recorded at Sadhna top, linking border town of Karnah with the rest of the valley. The road had been closed and efforts are being made to reopen it.

Snowfall has also forced authorities to suspend traffic to Keran and other border and far-flung areas, official sources said.

Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Abdul Majid Khanday told UNI that enough stock of essential commodities, including rice, atta, kerosene oil, LPG cylinder and sugar, was available in the cut off areas.

He said efforts are being made to remove the snow and make the roads traffic worthy again soon.

The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg experienced about six inchs of snowfall, first of this year, much to the delight of tourists and skiers who were out on the slopes.

However, the Affarwat, Khilanmarg and other upper reaches also experienced heavy snowfall.

Baramulla, Kupwara and Handwara also experienced few inches of snowfall.

Heavy snowfall was also recorded at holy Amarnath cave and its periphery, Sheshnag, Mahaguns, Panjtherni and Pisso top.

The Zojila pass on the Srinagar-Drass-Kargil-Leh road also experienced heavy snowfall. The road has been closed for six winter months on November 15 last year. However, Drass-Leh remained open despite snowfall.

UNI