Most parts of Kashmir received fresh snowfall and rain on Friday leading to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway and affecting flight operations to and fro the valley.
While the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir experienced moderate to heavy snowfall, many areas in the plains received light to moderate snowfall. Several places including the famous ski resort of Gulmarg, tourist resorts of Pahalgam and Sonamarg experienced fresh snowfall.
Read More: India’s masterstroke! Affordable COVID vax for all as West stares at Moderna’s 400% price hike
The upper reaches of Srinagar also received snowfall, while the plain areas were lashed by rains.
SRINAGAR-JAMMU HIGHWAY CLOSED
Owing to the fresh snowfall and weather conditions, Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed for traffic. Landslides were reported in Mehar area of Ramban district.
The weather conditions also affected the air traffic at the Srinagar airport after 9 am. Several flights have been delayed due to low visibility, the officials said.
While the night temperature rose at most places in the valley, the mercury settled above the freezing point in Srinagar and Qazigund.
Srinagar recorded a low of 1 degree Celsius on Thursday night, up from minus 0.2 degrees the night before, the officials said. Mercury dropped to 0.2 degrees Celsius in Qazigund, the gateway to the valley, while Kokernag in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 0.2 degrees.
CHILLAI KALAN
The MeT office had earlier predicted fairly widespread light rain in the plains of Kashmir and Jammu divisions and light to moderate snow over the higher reaches on Friday. The weather will remain mainly dry from Saturday till January 18.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of ‘Chillai Kalan’, the 40-day harshest weather period when the chances of snowfall are maximum and most frequent. Chillai Kalan begins on December 21 and ends on January 30.
(With inputs from PTI)
