WD from Aribian sea arrives in Kashmir resulting in cold

Srinagar, Oct 14 (UNI) The Western Disturbance (WD) from Arabian sea through Pakistan and Afghanistan finally hit Jammu and Kashmir today resulting in considerable cold, forcing people to wear woolen and warm cloths again in the Kashmir valley where the maximum and minimum temperatures were above normal yesterday.

Upper reaches in Kashmir valley, including Affarwat and Kongdori in Gulmarg experienced snowfall while the summer capital, Srinagar, and its adjoining areas experienced light rains last night and today.

The rains were followed by icy cold winds, resulting in considerable cold.

A manager of a hotel told UNI over phone from Gulmarg that Affarwat and Kongdorim, which are connected through cable car, experienced light snowfall today.

World famous Gulmarg and Tangmarg were lashed by rains since early this morning, he said.

However, he said only few local vistors had arrived at Gulmarg today.

During this period of the season, thousands of tourists, mostly from West Bengal, used to visit Gulmarg and other tourist resorts.

Interestingly, a report from nearby Baramulla said the weather was normal.

The holy Amarnath shrine and its periphery, Sheshnag, Mahaguns and Pisso top received about six inches to one feet snowfall since last evening. Pahalgam also experienced rains in the morning. There is zero per cent occupancy in the hotels, a hotel owner said.

Project Coordinator (UNDP) in-charge disaster Management in the office Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Aamir Ali said a western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayas.

Mr Ali said under its influence, light to moderate rainfall is likely at many places over Jammu and Kashmir during October tomorrow and day-after-tomorrow.

He said higher reaches in the state are likely to receive snowfall during the above period.

A weather office spokesman told UNI that yesterday the maximum temperature in summer capital, Srinagar, was 26.5 degrees celsius, which was 4.5 degrees above normal.

After witnessing above normal day temperature, people in Srinagar woke up to cloudy weather this morning accompanied by icy cold winds.

Light rainfall was experienced in the city and its adjoining areas resulting in cold, forcing people to wear woolen and other warm cloths.

UNI BAS AKJ SB KP1526