Kashmir: Snow continues for day 2 in upper reaches, intermittent rain lashes plains

Srinagar, Feb 21: Moderate to heavy snow continued for the second successive day on Thursday in world ski resort of Gulmarg and other upper reaches while intermittent rain lashed plains in Kashmir valley, where weather woes will continue during the next 24 hours.

The night temperature improved and settled above normal at majority of the places in Kashmir valley though the day temperature remained several degrees below normal due to wet weather.

A Met department spokesperson told UNI that widespread rain and snow would occur during the next 24 hours in the Valley under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD) which is active in the region. “The weather will start to improve from Friday evening and will remain dry on Saturday,” he said.

However, he said a fresh WD will hit the region on Saturday, which could result in more rain and snow.
Much to the delight of the tourists, Gulmarg, which is covered under several feet of snow, continued to receive intermittent snow on Wednesday morning.

'Gulmarg received fresh about 1.5 feet of snow since Wednesday. Tourists are enjoying, as for some it is the first snowfall of their life. They are enjoying various snow related activities, including skiing,' a hotelier told TNN over the phone.

However, he said post Pulwama attack, bookings from many parts of the country have been cancelled.

'Despite attacks on Kashmiris in rest of the country, not a single tourist has been harmed in the valley. But, due to negative perception created by a section of media, many tourists are cancelling their booking, even for the month of March,' he said.

He said Kongdori and Apharwat, the highest point of the cable car project in Gulmarg, also received light to moderate snowfall. The night temperature at the ski resort improved about 2 degree Celsius from Wednesday and settled at minus 3.2 degree, which is about 3 degree above normal.

After witnessing slight dip in the night temperature due to wet weather, people woke up to a rainy Thursday morning in the summer capital, Srinagar. As the day progressed, intermittent rain continued throughout the day in Srinagar, where the maximum temperature remained below normal.

World famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, also received light snowfall since this morning, resulting in dip in the day temperature. Against minus 0.5 degrees recorded on Wednesday, the night temperature at Pahalgam was minus 0.1 degrees, which is still about four degrees above normal.

The upper reaches in Pahalgam, including Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station for Amarnath cave shrine on the traditional yatra route, also received fresh light to moderate snowfall. Amarnath cave shine and its periphery, besides Sheshnag, Mahagung, Pisso top and Panjterni, also received moderate to heavy snowfall.

Fresh snowfall was also witnessed at various places, including Qazigund and Jawahar Tunnel on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, was again closed due to landslides and shooting stones.

The mercury at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir, improved and settled at 1.2 degree and 1 degree, respectively.