fresh snowfall on upper reaches and famed ski resort of Gulmarg

Srinagar, Mar 11 (UNI) World famous ski resort of Gulmarg and other upper reaches in the Kashmir valley experienced fresh snowfall while the plains had rains, resulting in severe cold forcing people to wear woolens again.

A UNI report from Gulmarg said it was heavily snowing since this morning at Affarwat, the highest down hill ski point, Kongdori and Khilanmarg since this morning.

It said Gulmarg and Tangmarg also recorded fresh snowfall since early this morning, much to the delight of skiers and tourists who had arrived there from different parts of the country and abroad.

The two km to 10 km slopes are under about three to five feet of snow where a group of students from different schools are on excursion organised by the Army.

The Western Disturbances (WD) which entered into Kashmir valley from North Pakistan, are active in the entire region. These would cause snowfall and rains, a weather office spokesman said.

He said the earlier WD in the past were mostly going astray without touching the Kashmir valley where deficit rainfall was recorded during this winter.

However, he said, the deficit will be covered in March when heavy rains are expected.

A report said fresh snowfall was also recorded on the upper reaches in the Kupwara and Baramulla districts. Sadhna top and Keran also experienced fresh snowfall since early this morning.

Fresh snowfall was also recorded at holy Amarnath cave and its periphery, Sheshnag, Mahaguns, Sadhna top and Panjtherni in south Kashmir. However, the weather remained dry in Anantnag town and adjacent areas.

The Zojila and zero point on the 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway, which has been closed for six winter months from November 15 last year, also experienced snowfall since early this morning. However, it was bright sunshine at Drass, the world's second coldest place after Siberia and Kargil. Both the places recorded deficit rainfall during winter this year.

Srinagar city and its adjoining areas had light rains this afternoon, resulting in severe cold, forcing people to wear woolen again after warm weather for about two weeks.

UNI