Waseem Ajaz
Srinagar, Apr 22 (TDP): The higher reaches of Kashmir including tourist resort Gulmarg and remote Gurez valley on Thursday received fresh snowfall while rains lashed the plains, resulting in a considerable dip in the maximum temperature.
An official told the news agency—The Dark Press (TDP), that snowfall started in Gurez started at around 6 am today, following which the traffic movement on Bandipora-Gurez road was restricted.
He said that the Srinagar-Kargil highway was also closed again due to snowfall along Zojila pass.
The official said that that following the improvement in the weather conditions, the Border Roads Organisation will press into service its men and machinery for snow clearance so that these roads are restored for traffic.
Reports said that higher reaches of Kashmir including the world-famous ski-resort, Gulmarg, Ganderbal and Machil in Kupwara also received fresh snowfall while rains lashed other parts of Kashmir valley.
Meteorological (MET) Department has said that light to heavy rain showers are expected over most places of Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
It said that the night temperature in Srinagar was 8.6°C while the tourist resort of Gulmarg was the coldest at minus 0.5 °C.
Leh town of Ladakh had minus 1.1, Kargil 2.8 and Drass minus 0.6 as the night’s lowest temperatures.
"Significant drop-in day temperature, a departure from normal up to -12.0°C. Hailstorm/gusty winds are possible at some places, " the department said.
“From Friday onwards, weather is most likely to remain dry in Ladakh region till April end,” the MeT added.
In another statement, it said that rain and thunderstorms at many places of J&K and snowfall over higher reaches of Kashmir and Drass -Zojila area are likely to continue till evening.
It warned that there is a high probability of thunderstorm with lightning in most parts of Kashmir, Ramban-Banihal, Poonch-Rajouri areas during the next few hours—(TDP)