Srinagar, Feb 19: Kashmir continued to reel under biting cold with minimum temperature across the valley dropping by few degrees Sunday, even as weather department forecasted heavy snowfall in hilly areas and moderate to heavy rainfall in low lying areas of the summer capital from February 21.
 Director Meteorological Department Kashmir, Sonam Lotus said snowfall in the valley is expected from Monday upto February 23.
 “The snowfall could be heavy in the Pir Panchal mountain range. Both road and air traffic is likely to get disrupted because of the western disturbance that will strike the Valley in couple of days,” he said.
 The MeT officials said very light to light snowfall was also likely at few places in Ladakh region particularly along Drass, Kargil and Zanskar regions. “This system is likely to move in a South-East towards direction of J&K,” MeT official said.
 “During the above period, day temperature will fall by 4 to 5 degree Celsius. And night temperature will decrease by 1 to 2 degree C,” they said.
 However, Sonam further added that it is likely that after February 23 the western disturbances will move from Valley which will provide relief from cold weather to Valleyites.
 Lotus also advised the passengers who are planning to undertake the Srinagar-Jammu journey by road on Feb 21 and Feb 22 to exercise caution. “Those planning to travel must consult the local traffic authorities before undertaking the journey,” he said.

SRINAGAR-JAMMU HIGHWAY
 Inspector General (Traffic), Hemant Kumar Lohia told Greater Kashmir that on Sunday vehicular movement was allowed from Jammu to Srinagar. “Tomorrow trucks carrying goods will ply from Srinagar to Jammu and LMV movement will be allowed from both sides, provided that traveling light vehicles from Srinagar to Jammu should reach Qazigund by 11 am and passenger vehicles from Jammu should reach Nagrota by 6-8 am.” He, however, said that traffic movement would be subject to weather conditions.
 According to Lohia hundreds of passenger vehicles crossed the Banihal tunnel as the 300 km Srinagar-Jammu Highway was opened on Saturday after remaining closed for three successive days.
 Public Relations Officer Srinagar Airport Muhammad Shafi said: “Only one flight of Go Air was cancelled, otherwise the air traffic remained normal.”

Lastupdate on : Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST