Intermittent snowfall continued for the second successive day at world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, health resort of Pahalgam and some other parts of Kashmir valley while the skies remained cloudy in the summer capital, Srinagar, resulting in further dip in the day temperature.
Meanwhile, the night temperature dipped slightly though settled above freezing point at most places in the valley, where a weather warning has been issued for the higher reaches till Wednesday.
A Met department spokesperson told UNI that heavy rain and snow would occur at isolated places in Kashmir during the next two days from Tuesday under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which is active in the region. “During this time, light to moderate rain and snow is also expected to occur at most places in the valley, including plains,” he said.
Similarly, he said Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan would experience scattered rain and snow till Wednesday. “The weather is expected to improve from Thursday onwards,” he added.
Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, continued to receive intermittent snowfall since Monday night, resulting in dip in the maximum temperature. Kongdori and Apharwat, the highest point of the cable car project in Gulmarg, also received moderate to heavy snowfall. Gulmarg, which is known for its ski slopes and quality of snow, has witnessed increase in the influx of tourists. “It is snowing in Gulmarg since morning. The main Gulmarg has received about 2.5 to 3 feet of snow. But, despite snow since early this morning, the tourists are out on ski slopes,” a hotelier told UNI over the phone.
The mercury at the ski resort during the night settled at minus 4.6 degree, which is about 2.5 degree below normal. On Monday, the maximum temperature recorded in Gulmarg about 7 degrees below normal.
People in the summer capital, Srinagar, woke up to a chilly and rainy Tuesday morning. The skies in the city, which is yet to receive first snowfall of the season so far, remained cloudy throughout the day, resulting in further dip in the day temperature. As the electricity was yet again off in most areas of the city for the second successive day on Tuesday, people had to rely on traditional ‘kangdi’ (firepot) to keep warm. The night temperature in the city dipped about 2 degree from Monday and settled at minus 0.1 degree, which is about a degree below normal.
Tourist resort of Sonamarg and its adjoining areas continued to receive intermittent snowfall since Sunday night. The traffic on Srinagar-Leh national highway remained suspended as Zojia pass, Meenmarg, Sonamarg and Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, also received fresh snowfall overnight.
Dozens of far-flung and remote villages, including border towns of Keran, Karnah, Tanghdar and Machil, also remained cut off in north Kashmir due slippery road conditions following fresh snowfall. Sadhna top, Z gali and Phirkiyan pass received about 1.5 feet of fresh snowfall since Sunday night.
Gurez, which is surrounded from Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) from three sides, received intermittent snowfall since Monday morning. Razdan pass received about 1.5 feet of snowfall while other places, including Dawar and Tulail Valley, recorded a foot of fresh snow. The Bandipora-Gurez road remained closed since November 14 due to accumulation of several feet of snow.
Intermittent snowfall also continued at world famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir. The night temperature at the health resort settled at 0.2 degree, which is 2 degree above normal.
The upper reaches in Pahalgam, including Chandanwari, received moderate to heavy snowfall. Amarnath cave shine and its periphery, besides Sheshnag, Mahagung, Pisso top and Panjterni, also received heavy snowfall.
Other parts of the valley, including tourist resort of Kokernag and Qazigund, gateway to the valley also received intermittent snow and rain since Sunday night.