Fresh snowfall in Kashmir higher reaches brings temperatures down
Snowfall in mountain passes and rain in the plains have disrupted traffic and lowered temperatures across the valley, according to officials.
Higher reaches of the Kashmir valley, including tourist resorts Gulmarg and Sonamarg, received fresh overnight snowfall while the plains experienced rain, according to reports from Daily Excelsior and Hindustan Times on Thursday.
The snowfall was observed in the Kongdori area, Tulail valley in Bandipora, Minimarg, Gurez, Kupwara, and along the Mughal Road in Shopian. Snow was also reported in the Zojila and Gumri areas in Ladakh.
The accumulation of snow on the Zojilla Pass has led to the suspension of traffic on the Srinagar-Leh national highway. In north Kashmir, a landslide at Rajanwani on the Uri-Baramulla National Highway has disrupted vehicular movement, leaving commuters stranded.
Meteorological Department (MeT) director Mukhtar Ahmad said the weather would be generally cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow over higher reaches on Thursday and Friday. The MeT expects a significant fall in day temperatures by 6-8°C during November 12 and 13.
The MeT has advised farmers to safely store harvested crops and warned that moderate to heavy snowfall may disrupt traffic over important passes. Weather is expected to stay dry from November 16 to 20.