Kashmir’s higher reaches received fresh snowfall on Monday while light rains lashed the plains including the summer capital Srinagar, even as the Mughal Road continued to remain closed for the second consecutive day. The Srinagar-Jammu highway was however open for one-way traffic.
An official source told Greater Kashmir that light snowfall was reported in high-altitude areas in Jammu and Kashmir, including Pir-ki-Gali on the Mughal Road, which connects Kashmir with Poonch via southern Shopian district. Snowfall was also reported at Sadhna Pass in Kupwara, Gurez Valley in Bandipora, Keran, Minamarg and some other places since Sunday night, he said. Plains, including Srinagar, also received light rains.
A meteorological department official said intermittent light snowfall in higher reaches and isolated rains in the plains continued throughout the day.
MeT director Sonam Lotus said there is no need to panic “as weather will not have much adverse effect this time.”
“The forecast is light to moderate rain or snow at most places in Kashmir and scattered places in Ladakh and Jammu region during the next 24 hours,” he told Greater Kashmir. “Till November 14, the weather will remain erratic.”
Superintendent of traffic police (rural) Muzaffar Ahmad Shah said the Mughal Road continued to remain closed for second day.
“About five-inch fresh snow has accumulated on the road,” he said.
The Mughal Road was thrown open for one-way traffic on Saturday after remaining closed for at least eight days due to heavy snowfall at Peer-ki-Gali and some other places on November 3-4.
A number of private and commercial vehicles were stranded on the road after the previous spell of snowfall, while at least 100 people were rescued by the police and army, according to officials.
Shah said the Srinagar-Jammu highway is open for one-side traffic but commuters are advised to contact traffic control units before leaving for their destinations on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the MeT official said the minimum temperatures have improved but the day temperatures are likely to fall further.
However, the coldness during the day intensified across Kashmir due to overcast conditions coupled with ice-cold winds, he said.
Srinagar recorded a maximum of 13.1 degrees Celsius and minimum of 2.6 degrees, the official said.
The temperatures recorded elsewhere were: Qazigund (maximum 16.2 degrees Celsius, minimum 2.6 degrees Celsius); Pahalgam (maximum 6.3 degrees Celsius, minimum 1.1 degrees Celsius); Kupwara (maximum 7.2 degrees Celsius, minimum 0.2 degrees Celsius); Kokernag (12.6 degrees Celsius, minimum 4.2 degrees Celsius); Gulmarg (maximum 3.3 degrees Celsius, minimum minus 3.4 degrees Celsius); Leh (maximum 8.3 degrees Celsius, minimum minus 1.4 degrees Celsius) and Kargil (maximum 10.8 degrees Celsius, minimum minus 6.4 degrees Celsius).
SRINAGAR-KARGIL HIGHWAY CLOSED
The Srinagar-Kargil highway was again closed for traffic on Monday after fresh snowfall at Zojila Pass and some other places along the thoroughfare, officials said.
Superintendent of traffic police (rural) Muzaffar Ahmad Shah told Greater Kashmir that the highway was closed in the afternoon “as a precautionary measure” following fresh snowfall.
“As per the fixed timings, traffic was allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil but it started snowing in upper reaches including Zojila Pass in the afternoon following which traffic was suspended on the highway as a precautionary measure,” he said.
He said no vehicular movement will be allowed on both sides “until further orders.”
“There is a prediction of inclement weather for a couple of days. We will take a decision on re-opening of the road after improvement in weather,” Shah said.
Meanwhile, the famous tourist resort of Sonamarg received fresh snowfall on Monday afternoon.
(With additional reporting by Irfan Raina)