Kashmir gets first snowfall of 2010, heavy rains lash valley

Srinagar, Oct. 22 (ANI): Temperatures dropped in the Kashmir Valley on Friday after the region's upper reaches received the first snowfall of the 2010 winter season, and heavy rains lashed the rest of the valley.

State weather department officials confirmed that Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Qazigund areas of the Valley have received the first snowfall of the season.

Gulmarg, they said, has so far received three inches of snow.

Officials said that it has also been snowing at the strategically-located Zojilla Pass and in Gumri on the Srinagar-Leh National highway, hampering traffic movement to Ladakh.

All vehicles heading to Kargil and Leh have been stopped at Kangan, 40 kms from Srinagar.

The meteorological department said that 37.2 millimetres of rainfall was recorded till 8.30 this morning.

The tourist resort of Kokernag has recorded the highest rainfall so far at 46.6 mm followed by Pahalgam and Qazigund areas at 38.2 mm each. (ANI)