Srinagar/Oct, 23: The higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall while rains lashed plains on Saturday, bringing the temperature further down in the Valley. However, the inclement weather conditions also resulted in closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway, Mughal road and Sonamarg-Zojila road.
Several parts of Kashmir including the world famous ski-resort, Gulmarg, world famous tourist resort Pahalgam, Shopian, Gurez, Zojila and other places in the higher reaches received fresh snowfall in the intervening night of Friday-Saturday. An official in the Meteorological department informed that the rains have also lashed J&K plains since last night. The official informed that there is a possibility of more rains and snow till Sunday as the Western Disturbance as per the forecast has affected J&K. “The weather conditions would start gradually improving from tomorrow afternoon and the dry weather is expected to continue till November 02, 2021,” the official said.
Moreover, as per the officials, Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K received 31.6 mm of rainfall till 0830hours. Pahalgam in south Kashmir, had 43.2 mm of rain and 5.6cm snowfall while Qazigund received 58.4 mm of rainfall, the officials said, adding that Kokernag received 50.2 mm of rain while Kupwara had 9.6 mm of rain. Meanwhile, the prevalent weather conditions have also forced the authorities to close the vital roads in Jammu and Kashmir as precautionary measures. Jammu-Srinagar highway has been closed due to heavy rainfall at Cafeteria Morh, near Ramban, while higher reaches of Pirpanjal mountain range received heavy snowfall, resulting in the closure of Mughal road, said officials Saturday. Officials said that due to heavy rainfall, the 270-km long Jammu-Srinagar highway is blocked at Cafeteria Morh, near Ramban, as of now. “In view of heavy rainfall since early morning today, the people are advised to avoid any unnecessary travel on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) and all other important intra-district roads in Ramban, ” they said.
The Mughal road, connecting Shopian and Poonch districts, has also been closed due to fresh snowfall near Peer Ki Gali while men and machinery have been pressed into the service to clear the road. DySP Traffic Aftab Shah said that due snowfall at Pir Ki Gali and bad weather conditions; the Mughal road has been closed for vehicular movement. He also appealed to people to plan their journey accordingly. Moreover, Sonamarg-Zojjila road was also closed after the upper reaches of Zojila in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir received moderate snowfall. Snowfall in Drass and Sonamarg areas of Ganderbal district has led to the closure of Sonamarg-Drass road, the officials informed.
An official said that keeping in view slippery conditions and fresh snowfall, the Sonamarg-Zojjila road has been closed as a precautionary measure. The district administration Ganderbal has also issued an advisory, asking people to avoid venturing out in landslide prone areas. “In view of the weather advisory issued by the Indian Meteorological Department, general public of Kangan Sub-Division and those living in higher reaches of the district are advised to remain cautious and not to venture out in slopes, hilly areas or flood/landslide prone areas till weather improves,” the advisory reads
