Srinagar, Mar 8
World famous ski resort of Gulmarg and other upper reaches received fresh snowfall while rain lashed plains in Kashmir valley on Monday, resulting in chilly weather conditions.
Meanwhile, the night temperature dipped though settled above normal across the valley, where there is prediction of wet weather during the next five days.
A Met department spokesperson told UNI that light to moderate rain and snow would occur at most places during the next 24 hours under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which is active in the region. “Another WD, which originated from the Arabian Sea and is approaching the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan, will hit the region on Wednesday,” he said.
He said under the influence of the WD, rain and snow would occur at most places in the valley for three days from Wednesday. “There is a weather warning for Thursday and Friday during which thundershowers, lightening and hailstorms with gusty winds would occur,” he said, adding this system could result in disruption of surface and air connectivity of the valley with rest of the country.
Much to the delight of tourists, Gulmarg, which is already covered under several feet of snow, received fresh snowfall since early this morning, resulting in dip in the day temperature. Kongdori and Apharwat, the highest point of the cable car project in Gulmarg, also received light to moderate snowfall. The ski resort was the only place in the valley where the night temperature settled below freezing point. Against minus 0.7 degree recorded on Sunday, the mercury dipped and settled at minus 1.7 degree, which is about 2 degree above normal. “Despite snow since early this morning, the tourists are out on ski slopes enjoying different activities,” a hotelier told UNI over the phone.
He said the ski resort, which is about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, witnessed huge influx of tourists this winter season after zero business during the last two years. “Most of the hotels are booked to April end in Gulmarg,” he added. The night temperature in the summer capital, Srinagar dipped about a degree from Sunday due to overnight rain though settled above normal. Against 7 degree recorded on Sunday, the night temperature in the city dipped and settled at 5.8 degree, which is about 3 degree above normal. The people woke up to a chilly and rainy Monday morning in the city, which witnessed huge traffic jams on most roads following heavy downpour. Pedestrians were also finding it difficult to walk on the roads, which were waterlogged in Srinagar. The city witnessed a considerable dip in the maximum temperature on Monday, forcing people to once again wear sweaters and jackets.
World famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, received rain since late last night, resulting in dip of about 2 degree since Sunday in the night temperature, which settled 1.1 degree, about 2.5 degree above normal.
However, the upper reaches in Pahalgam, including Chandanwari, received very light snowfall. Amarnath cave shine and its periphery, besides Sheshnag, Mahagung, Pisso top and Panjterni, also received light to moderate snowfall.
Other parts of the valley, including tourist resort of Kokernag, Kupwara in north Kashmir and Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Pirpanjal also received snow and rain since late last night.