Srinagar witnesses first snowfall of the season
WEB DESK
Many parts of north India witnessed the first snowfall of the season today. Several areas of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh are receiving intermittent snowfall. The low lying areas of the state are also receiving scanty rainfall. Snowfall and rain have brought down the day temperature. Movement of vehicles has been halted due to fresh snowfall of about one foot at Rohtang Pass, the entrance of Lahaul-Spiti.
Meanwhile, in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, the heavy snowfall across Kashmir region forced the authorities to close down national highways connecting Srinagar with Jammu & Ladakh regions besides main road connecting South Kashmir’s Shopian with Rajouri region in Jammu, for vehicular traffic.
Srinagar witnessed the first snowfall of the season today whileas the higher reaches of Kashmir including Gulmarg and Sonamarg tourist resorts received the first snowfall of the season yesterday plummeting the mercury by more than 10 degrees.
The snowfall is being continuously witnessed in Central Kashmir’s Srinagar and other areas whileas all south & north Kashmir’s towns and upper reaches are witnessing moderate to heavy snowfall since wee hours today throwing normal life out of gear.
High altitude areas of Pir Panchal including Pir Ki Gali in the border district of Poonch in Jammu division is also receiving season’s first snowfall since last evening. The first snowfall has forced traffic authorities to close the Mughal Road connecting twin border districts of Rajouri-Poonch in Jammu region with Shopian district in Kashmir Valley for vehicular traffic.
Officials said snow has accumulated at Zojila and its adjoining areas, resulting in slippery road conditions. The season’s first snowfall is continuing since late last night with the heavy snowfall in plains and upper mountainous areas of Kashmir region.
MeT department said that the plains of the valley started receiving the first snow of the season during the preceding night. The Department said the snowfall was very light and currently the snowfall is moderate to heavy in Srinagar and elsewhere in Kashmir region.
Authorities have pressed into servicemen & machinery of Border Roads Organisation and other agencies for snow clearance operation to reopen the highways for traffic and facilitate the movement of people and traffic on city and inter-district roads.