Snow on upper reaches; rain lash plains, Pahalgam in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 5 (UNI) Upper reaches in the Kashmir valley had fresh snowfall while tourist resort of Pahalgam and Gulmarg and plains were lashed by heavy rains, resulting in considerable cold, forcing people to wear woollen clothes.

Due to chill, people remained indoor, taking the advantage of the general strike called by Hurriyat Conference (Geelani) in protest against the ill-treatment of Kashmiri detenues in different jails in and outside the state.

A report from Pahalgam said about 500 tourists who arrived there from Srinagar and other places remained confined in their vehicles or restaurants because of heavy rains in the area since early this morning.

The water level in the Lidder river has also increased because of rains.

However, upper reaches, including holy Amarnath cave and its periphery, Panjtherni, Mahaguns and Pisso top also received fresh snowfall since last evening, resulting in considerable drop in the temperature.

It was heavily raining at the world famous ski resort of Gulmarg since this morning.

Affarwat, Khilanmarg and other upper reaches also experienced snowfall since last evening.

Summer capital, Srinagar, and its adjoining areas, were lashed by heavy rains, resulted in drop in temperature, forcing people to wear worm clothes and use gas heaters and other heating equipments.

UNI BAS SP RN1601