Fresh snowing, rain disrupts normal life across Kashmir

Srinagar: The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg besides other upper reaches received fresh snowfall while plains, including summer capital Srinagar experienced snow-rain since early Wednesday morning disrupting normal life.
A Met department spokesman said this afternoon that there could be widespread to moderate rain and snow during the next 24 hours in the Jammu and Kashmir. During the subsequent two days, there is a forecast for widespread to scattered rain and snow.
Gulmarg, a famed ski resort in north Kashmir district of Baramulla, about 55 km from here received fresh snowfall Wednesday. The world class ski slopes, already under several feet of white power, received five to six inches of snow. The upper heights, including Khilanmarg, Seven spring and Affarwat, the highest ski point connected by Cable Car, received moderate to heavy snowfall during the past 24 hours. It was still snowing, a hotel owner told UNI over Phone from Gulmarg. Large number of tourists, including locals, are arriving daily to enjoy, he said and expressed hope more guests from different parts of the country and abroad will visit the ski resort.
Fresh snowfall was also received at upper reaches in the north Kashmir, where dozens of roads remained closed due to accumulation of snow and slippery road conditions for the past about a week.
The areas near the Line of Control (LoC) also received fresh snowfall. However, security forces, braving chill and other difficulties remained guard to foil any militants attempt to sneak into this side from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). Several inches to one feet of snowfall was received since early this morning, reports said.
The plains, including Baramulla, Kupwara, Handwara, Bandipora and Sopore received mixed rain and snow resulting in drop in the maximum temperature, disrupting normal life.
Fresh snowfall was received Wednesday, a report from Pahalgam, about 100 km from here said. However, moderate to heavy snowfall was received at holy Amarnath cave shrine and its periphery, Panjterni, Sheshnag, Mahaguns, Pisso top and Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on traditional Pahalgam yatra track.
Upper reaches in south Kashmir districts of Kulgam, Shopian and Anantnag also received fresh snowfall. The historic Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu remained closed since December last year due to accumulation of snow. Fresh snowfall was also received on the highway Wednesday.
The upper heights in central Kashmir district of Badgam and Ganderbal also received fresh snowfall.
Life was thrown out of gear in summer capital, Srinagar, due to mixed rain and snow since this morning, resulting in considerable chill. People could be seen using umbrella, rain coats and gadgets to save themselves from getting wet. Though educational institutions remained closed due to winter vacation, students, including girls, could be seen going to tuition and coaching classes as usual Wednesday.
Met spokesman said there could be moderate rain and snow and the maximum and minimum temperature would be around 2 degree and 0 degree respectively during the next 24 hours in Srinagar.