Srinagar, Nov 13 (JKNS): Several higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed fresh snowfall on Friday, intensifying cold conditions and affecting road connectivity, while Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district received its first snowfall of the ongoing winter season.
Details available with news agency JKNS, Sadhna Top and Razdan Pass received more than one foot of fresh snow during the past 24 hours, while Sinthan Top recorded an accumulation of 8 to 10 inches. Z-Gali and Margan Top received 6 to 8 inches each, whereas Zojila Pass recorded around 5 to 6 inches of fresh snowfall.
Peer Ki Gali also witnessed 5 to 8 inches of snowfall, while 4 to 6 inches were recorded at Baltal. Gurez Valley received 3 to 5 inches, Sonamarg recorded 2 to 3 inches, and Gulmarg witnessed around one centimetre of fresh snow.
Snowfall was also reported from the upper reaches of Doda and Rajouri districts in the Jammu region, contributing to a further decline in temperatures across the Union Territory.
Meanwhile, the Mughal Road, connecting south Kashmir’s Shopian district with Poonch and Rajouri, remained closed for the second consecutive day following heavy snowfall around Pir Ki Gali.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has undertaken snow-clearance operations to restore the road connectivity. However, continued snowfall may delay the process. Officials said the road’s reopening would depend on weather conditions and progress of clearance work.
Snow-clearance operations have also been initiated on the Chowkibal-Tangdhar road in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast generally cloudy conditions with light to moderate rainfall in the plains and snowfall over higher reaches at most places on Friday. The department has also indicated the possibility of moderate to heavy precipitation over higher elevations during the ongoing weather activity.
For November 14 and 15, brief spells of light rain and snowfall are expected at isolated places, while generally dry weather is likely to prevail across Jammu and Kashmir from November 16 to 20.
The MeT department has further forecast a considerable fall of 6 to 8 degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures during November 12 and 13, with thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds likely at a few places.
Advising farmers to safely store their harvested crops, the department cautioned that moderate to heavy snowfall over higher reaches could affect traffic movement on important mountain passes and hilly roads.
Travellers, transporters and tourists have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly and follow traffic advisories issued by the concerned authorities. (JKNS)