Srinagar, Nov 15: Higher reaches of the Valley and Ladakh on Sunday received moderate to heavy snowfall
for the second consecutive day while plains received
intermittent rainfall, even as the Meteorological Department has predicted
a significant improvement in weather from Monday.
MeT officials said ski-resort Gulmarg in Baram-ulla district and its upper reaches such as Affarwat on Sunday received 13
inches of snow.
Other upper reaches including Pir Ki Galli, Sonamarg, Minimarg, Zojilla and Drass also received 1 to 2 feet of fresh snowfall on Sunday,
officials said. The heavy snowfall in upper reaches of the
Valley and Ladakh since Saturday morning has lead to sus-
pension of traffic on major highways including Srinagar-
Leh National Highway and the Mughal Road connecting
Valley with Pir Panchal region.
As per officials there is snow accumulation of 2 to 3.5
feet on the 3-high altitude passes to border areas of Karnah,
Keran and Machil. “All these three roads are closed and
machinery will be deployed as soon as weather improves,”
they said.
The inclement weather has also brought down
the temperatures sharply. Summer capital Srinagar
recorded 7.7 degrees Celsius maximum temperature
while ski-resort Gulmarg recorded 0.5 degrees Celsius
temperature on Sunday, which is several notches below
normal.
Heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds lashed
winter-capital Jammu on Sunday evening bringing
down the temperature sharply. Jammu recorded 19.5
degrees Celsius maximum temperature, which is 7.6
degrees below the temperature recorded a day earlier.
MeT data said Jammu received 12.4 millimetres rainfall
on Sunday. Kupwara recorded the highest rainfall at 14.1
mm, Qazigund 1.2 mm and Gulmarg recorded 11.4 mm
rainfall between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on Sunday. Summer
capital Srinagar also received a spell of rainfall during
the evening.
Director MeT, Sonam Lotus, told the Greater Kashmir,
“Weather is expected to witness a significant improve-
ment from Monday for the next three to four days.”
MUGHAL ROAD:
The Mughal Road connecting Valley with the Pir
Panchal region continues to be blocked due to accumu-
lation of snow, a traffic advisory said. Subject to fair
weather and road clearance only downward traffic (load
carriers) loaded with fresh fruits shall be allowed from
Herpora (Shopian) from 11 am to 4 pm towards Poonch,
the traffic advisory added. “No vehicle shall be allowed
after cut off timing. Moreover, no passenger vehicle or
pedestrian shall be allowed on Mughal Road.”
SRINAGAR-LEH HIGHWAY:
Srinagar-Leh National Highway is blocked due to
snow accumulation, traffic advisory said. The vehicu-
lar movement shall be allowed on Srinagar-Sonamarg-
Gumari road, subject to fair weather and clearance of
road on Monday, the advisory said.