The higher reaches of Chenab Valley as well as Pir Panchal region received fresh snowfall on Saturday, while the plains recorded intermittent rains.
In Chenab Valley, much to their delight, the people of Bhaderwah Valley woke up on Saturday morning to experience fresh snowfall. After torrential rains lashed the entire Chenab Valley on Friday and heavy snowfall was recorded in the upper reaches including, Kailash mountain range, PadriGali, BhaalPadri, Braid Baal, Nehyed Chilly and Asha Pati Glacier, Bhaderwah town and its surrounding villages also received fresh snowfall since early Saturday morning.
According to reports, Bhalla, Kota Top, Marwah, Dachhan, Keshwan, Gandoh, Bhallessa, Malanoo, Batote, Gool, Banihal and other parts of Chenab valley also witnessed moderate to heavy snowfall.
Although the common people in general and those associated with agriculture, horticulture and tourism in particular were beaming with joy and satisfaction, but the early morning snowfall triggered extreme cold wave in Bhaderwah and adjoining Gandoh Valley, forcing the dwellers to wear warm clothes and to lit up bonfires and traditional fire places.
Locals, while appealing to tourists to visit the beautiful valley, considered fresh snowfall as a blessing and hoped that everyone in Bhaderwah will be benefited. However meteorological department has predicted that the weather will improve from Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, the higher reaches of Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi also witnessed heavy snowfall on Saturday.
Official details available with Greater Kashmir revealed that rainfall started at about 4 am on Saturday morning in the plains of Rajouri and Poonch districts, while it snowed in the higher reaches.
“It continued to snow till the afternoon hours across the higher reaches of the twin districts. Over one-and-a-half-feet of snowfall was recorded in higher reaches of Budhal and Loran till Saturday evening,” an official said.
In Kishtwar, heavy snowfall was recorded in Chatroo, Chingham, Padder, Keshwan, Thakrai, Marwah, Warwan, Dachhan, Trigham, Saroor and Sarthal.
However, the Doda-Kishtwar-Batote highway remained clear for vehicles movement, as no reports of landslide or blockage were received across the stretch.
In Ramban district, Patnitop, Sanasar, Gool, MahuMangit, Neel, Banihal and Nowgam also received fresh snowfall.
In Reasi district as well, heavy snowfall was recorded in Tukson, Shadole, Gulabgarh, Baransal, Kaidoora, Dewal, Dogga, Nihoch, Barmidar, Shabrass, Badder, Bagodass, Manjikote, Chasoot, Bathoi, Jamaslan, Budhan and Gulabgarh, leading to the closure of several roads, including Mahore-Gool and Mahore-Gulabgarh.
(With inputs from AI Bhat, MM Parvaiz, Zahid Malik)