Fresh snowfall in Kashmir, season's lowest max recorded

Srinagar, Dec 9 (UNI) The upper reaches in the Kashmir valley today experienced fresh snowfall as the maximum temperature dipped to 8.0 degrees Celsius, this winter season's lowest so far.

According to reports tourist resorts in Gulmarg and Pahalgam witnessed fresh snowfall since this afternoon.

A hotel official told UNI from Gulmarg that 2-3 inches of snow was recorded since 1200 hrs.

He said several tourists were seen enjoying the snowfall at the world famous ski resort.

According to the official the higher reaches of Apharwat, Kongdoori, Yousmarg, Khilanmarg and other places also experienced snowfall.

A tourist official from Pahalgam told UNI that it started snowing heavily at the famed resort since 1700 hrs.

However, he said not many tourists were spotted in Pahalgam.

The other upper reaches in the Kashmir valley such as Gurez, Keran, Karnah, Tangdhar, Machil and other areas near the Line of Control (LOC) also experienced fresh snowfall.

Zojila and Drass and other high altitude areas in Kargil and Leh districts also witnessed snowfall since this morning.

The holy cave shrine of Amarnath and its periphery, Sheshnag, Mahagunas, Pissu Top and Panjtherni also experienced snowfall.

Weather office here said the maximum temperature dropped to 8.0 degrees Celsius, which was the lowest of this winter season so far.

However, it said there was some improvement in night temperature as the minimum stood at 0.1 degrees Celsius.

The upper reaches in the Kashmir valley had recorded the season's first snowfall on November 30, ending a six-month long dry spell.

The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir had recorded a lowest night temperature of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius on November 28.

The people in Kashmir have been offering special prayers in different mosques across the valley for rains and snowfall as a prolong dry spell had resulted in water shortage, fall in power generation, severe cold and cold related diseases.

UNI