| After fresh snowfall, rain sun greeted people in Kashmir | | |  Early Times Report
Srinagar, Dec 11: After fresh snowfall on upper reaches and rain in plains, including summer capital, Srinagar, ending more than four month-long-dry spell, sun greeted people in the Kashmir valley, where the mercury also witnessed surge.
A Met department spokesman said there could be light snow or rain in the Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
Ending the long dry spell, rain last night bring smile on the faces of people in summer capital, Srinagar, where dry and chilly weather had resulted in increase in cold related diseases, including chest infection, bad-cold, headache, body pain and fever, particularly among the children and elderly persons.
Met spokesman said Srinagar received 0.4 mm rainfall during the night after witnessing coldest night of the winter so far yesterday when the minimum temperature was minus 4.5 degree, five notches below normal, freezing Dal Lake and other water bodies partially.
Doctors had advised people, particularly those having breathing problem and heart diseases, to avoid going out in the morning and evening.
However, due to cloudy sky during the night the minimum temperature in the city witnessed major surge and settled at 0.5 degree, about a notch above normal, much to the relief of people.
"Jammu city recorded 12.5 degrees Celsius, Katra 13.4 degrees Celsius, Batote 6.9 degrees Celsius, Bannihal 5.7 degrees Celsius and Bhaderwah 5.7 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperatures," the official said.
According to the official, the weather is likely to remain dry during the next 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir.
After relatively warm night due to above normal temperature, people woke up to a sunny morning, providing much needed relief in Srinagar. However, sun was playing hide and seek as the day progressed.
Met spokesman said there could be scattered rain or snow in Srinagar and its outskirts today.
As there is relaxation in the separatist strike, people are out doing shopping and other activities, enjoying sunny weather in the city.
The upper reaches in the Kashmir valley received moderate to heavy snowfall since last evening.
Tree and roof tops besides electric poles had turned white as fresh but light snowfall was experienced at Gulmarg, world famous ski resort about 55 km from here in north Kashmir district of Baramulla, a hotel owner told UNI over phone.
He said few inches of snow was experienced on the slopes, much to the delight of those associated with tourism industry who are expecting good winter season after the summer was washed out due to unrest.
However, he said, the upper reaches, including Kongdori, Khilanmarg and Affarwat, the highest skiing point received moderate to heavy snowfall since last night.
Reports of snowfall were also received from other heights in the north Kashmir, including near the Line of Control (LoC), where troops remained deployed to foil any infiltration attempt by militants, waiting at launch pads to sneak into this side.
About six inches of snowfall was also experienced at Sonamarg, forcing authorities to suspend traffic on Srinagar-Leh national highway, the only road linking Ladakh region with Kashmir.
Moderate to heavy snowfall was also received on other heights in the central Kashmir, including Baltal, base camp of Holy Amarnath cave shrine, Zojilla and Zero point.
The holy cave and its adjoining areas also received fresh snowfall since yesterday. Reports of snowfall were also received at Pisso top, Sheshnag, Mahaguns and Panjterni on traditional yatra route.
Snowfall was received on historic Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region. |
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