Srinagar, Nov 4: A blanket of snow covered slopes of ski resort Gulmarg in North Kashmir on Friday while plains received moderate to heavy rainfall, signaling arrival of winter.
While change in the weather from early this morning brought a sharp dip in the temperature, shopping rush in the markets on the eve of Eid was dampened as rains lashed the capital city Srinagar and major towns of the Valley. However the weatherman forecast improvement in weather from Saturday and a “pleasant weather” on the festival.
Officials said the tourist resort of Gulmarg and upper reaches including mountainous range of Pirpanchal received moderate to heavy snowfall.
“The slopes of Gulmarg received more than 6 inches of snowfall,” said Director Meteorological Department here, Sonam Lotus. Snowfall was also received in mountains of Gurez in Bandipora district and Machil sector in Kupwara district, the official said.
Almost 5-inch snow had accumulated at Zojila pass on the Srinagar-Ladakh highway, reports said. Today’s is the season’s second snowfall in upper reaches.
Intermittent rains continued throughout the day in plains including major towns of Islamabad (Anantnag), Baramulla and Budgam.
While temperatures dipped to freezing point in snow hit areas, the mercury was recorded at 9 degree Celsius in Srinagar, eight degrees below normal temperature.
Reports said Tangmarg-Gulmarg Road was closed for traffic due to the snowfall.
Head of Disaster Management Cell, Amir Ali, said Srinagar-Kargil road was closed in view of heavy downpour but Srinagar-Jammu highway remained open for traffic.
He said snow machines were used to make Tangmarg-Gulmarg road motorable again.
Ali said the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, directed the authorities concerned to gear up men and machinery in case the weather turns hostile.
Reports said Leh town of Ladakh division recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4 degree Celsius. However air traffic was normal, he said.
Kashmir witnesses a harsh four-month winter season beginning November when the minimum temperature across the valley mostly remains below the freezing point.
People in the Valley particularly hilly areas have already taken woolen clothes out to protect themselves from cold.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 4 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 4 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 5 Nov 2011 00:00:00 IST