Kashmir Valley Receives Fresh Snowfall, Lahaul Spiti Experience Light Snowfall
Srinagar, Jan 4: Kashmir Valley including the tourists spots of Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Yousmarg and Kokernag received fresh snowfall, leading to the closure of several far-flung roads and cancellation of several flights to and from the Srinagar international airport on Monday, an official said on Tuesday.
A meteorological department official forecast said widespread light rains/snow and moderate snow over the higher reaches is being experienced at present and is likely to intensify as the day progresses. Except moderate snow/rain in plains and heavy snowfall over the higher reaches with the main activity to take place later tonight and tomorrow in both divisions of Jammu and Kashmir .
It has also advised people living in avalanche and landslide prone areas not to venture out unless it is absolutely necessary.
There was intermittent rain/snow at present in Srinagar leading to the cancellation of half a dozen morning flights which were scheduled to fly between Srinagar-Delhi, Delhi-Srinagar, and other routes, official sources said.
Srinagar, the summer capital received around 7.1mm of rain and snowfall overnight till 0830hours on Tuesday. Srinagar recorded a low of 0.6 degree Celsius against previous night’s 3.0 degree Celsius which was 2.7 Celsius above normal for this time of the year.
Meanwhile, the higher reaches of Lahaul Spiti in Himachal Pradesh experienced snowfall and intermittent rain in the downstream areas as it was overcast in the state on Tuesday, Met Official said.
Keylong in Lahaul Spiit received five centimetres of fresh snowfall, the high reaches including Rohtang pass, Kunzum pass, Lady of Keylong Baralacha Saptarshi hills and Goshal, Sachpass in Chamba, Pangi Bharmour and Manimahesh, Dhauldhar ranges of Kangra, Kinner and Shrikhand Kailash of Kinnuar and the high reaches of Shimla, Sirmaur and Kullu received a light spell of snowfall.
The tourist resorts of Dalhousie in Chamba and Dharmshala in Kangra had six mm rain, Chamba five mm, Manali and Palampur two mm, Kangra 1.6 mm and Una one mm.
District Administeration Lahaul-Spiti said that following significant snowfall in the high reaches of Kullu and the condition of the roads, no tourist vehicles are being allowed from Dhundi to Atal Tunnel in Kullu district and only 4×4 vehicles are being allowed and that too only in emergency cases. The sky was mainly cloudy since overnight which helped improve the minimum temperature by two to three degrees in the last 24 hrs which is four degrees above normal.
Warning of thunder storm and lightening along with rain shower in the foothills and heavy rain and snow in the mid and high reaches at isolated places in the state during next 24hrs has also been issued by the Met..
