Srinagar, Jan 29 (Representative) The higher reaches of the Kashmir valley, including tourist destinations, received fresh snowfall while plains were lashed by rains, resulting in the closure of several crucial roads, officials said on Monday. The forecasters have predicted more snow in the coming days. The historical Mughal road connecting Kashmir Valley’s Shopian district with the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu division and the strategic Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road connecting Ladakh were closed as a precautionary measure due to the accumulation of snow, traffic officials said. Tourist resorts in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, Tangmarg, Gurez Valley, Tragbal in Bandipora, and Kernah in Kupwara received snowfall. It was raining and snowing at various places until this report was filed. The tourists at the ski resort of Gulmarg were jubilant, watching the snowfall and clicking memorable pictures. The tourists were seen frolicking with the snow, expressing their joy.
Srinagar and its adjoining areas experience light rains, ending a long dry spell of weather much to the delight of the residents. The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has predicted the possibility of light to moderate rain or snow at many places in J&K with heavy snowfall over isolated higher reaches of Kashmir Division, including Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Shopian, Anantnag, and Kulgam districts, during late afternoon on Monday.The wet weather system may continue until February 4 in Kashmir Valley, the MeT office said.It has also issued an advisory that the weather system may lead to temporary closure of roads of higher reaches and important passes, including Sinthan pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna & Razdan pass, Zojila etc. particularly during January 28 to 31. Travellers are advised to plan their trip accordingly, the MeT office warned.
Farmers have been advised to withhold irrigation and fertilizer applications and drain out excess water from orchards and fields during the wet weather period. There would be a significant drop in daytime temperature during the period, it said. Due to the wet weather, the nighttime temperature recorded a significant increase. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a low of 3.6°C on Monday against the normal of -1.0°C, and it was 4.6°C above normal during this period of the season. The day temperature witnessed a drop across the valley, and Srinagar recorded 8.9° C the previous day, which was 1.4°C above normal during this period of the season. The other stations in the valley recorded a minimum of Qazigund 2.0°C, Pahalgam 0.7°C, Kupwara 1.7°C, Kokernag 0.5°C, and Gulmarg -3.2°C, respectively, the MeT office said.