Srinagar, Apr 17: Fresh rainfall lashed the plains and upper reaches of Kashmir Valley on Sunday resulting in further dip in temperature even as western disturbances continue to hover over Jammu and Kashmir.
 The summer capital recorded a maximum temperature of 13.4 degree Celsius, which is seven degrees below normal, while the night temperature was recorded at 8.6 degrees Celsius.
 “The ongoing dip in temperature is a normal phenomenon especially in this period of year due to persisting western disturbances,” an official in the Meteorological Department told Greater Kashmir.
 He said in the next 24 hours, moderate to heavy rain or snowfall would occur at most places in Jammu and Kashmir, with heavy falls at some places including Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
 Upper reaches of Valley including the tourist spots of Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonmarg witnessed heavy rainfall on Sunday. 
 Srinagar recorded 8 mm rainfall, Qazigund 17.2, Pahalgam 8.1, Kupwara 21.1, Kokernag 7.9 and Jammu 2.8 mm, the official said.
 The MeT department has predicted sunshine after next 48 hours in plains.
 Qazigund recorded a maximum temperature of 13.5 degree Celsius and minimum of 9.0, Pahalgam recorded maximum of 12 and minimum of 5.2, Kupwara maximum of 11.7 and minimum of 7.9 and Kokernag recorded maximum of 13.4 and minimum of 7.9 degrees Celsius.
 The 300-km Jammu-Srinagar highway was closed for vehicular traffic due to falling pieces of rocks from hilltops in the wake of landslides triggered by heavy rain in Ramban district.
 The highway was closed for vehicular traffic at 3 pm as pieces of rocks are falling on the highway from hilltops due to landslides caused by heavy rains in Panthal area, Police Control Room (PCR) officials said.
 However, they said the stranded vehicles were cleared later in the day.
 The Official on Special Duty to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Amir Ali said the flights operated from the Srinagar International Airport, but were delayed due to rainfall.
 The Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic-Rural Kashmir), GM Wadoo, said the highway was closed. “It is only after seeing the condition of the highway that we will be able to comment on its opening on Monday,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 17 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 17 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST