Higher reaches of Kashmir Valley receive fresh snowfall

Katra-Sanji Chhat chopper service suspended due to fog

21/02/2025

SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Feb 20: The higher reaches of Kashmir valley, including the tourist resort of Gulmarg received a fresh snowfall, while plains were lashed by light rains, ending a long dry spell on Thursday, officials said.
The ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir received 7.5 cm of snowfall overnight, the Meteorological Department of Srinagar said.
Reports of fresh light to moderate snowfall were also received from Shopian, Sinthan Top, and the Pir Panjal range of mountains in south Kashmir.
Snowfall was also reported from the Zojila pass on the Srinagar-Ladakh Highway.
Kashmir plains, including Srinagar and its adjoining areas, were lashed by light rainfall ending a long dry spell. Srinagar received 1.2mm of rainfall, Pahalgam 2.2mm, Kupwara 7.4mm, Kokernag 4.2mm and Gulmarg 7.6 mm till 8.30 AM this morning.
Most parts of Jammu division also received light to moderate rainfall. Jammu received 7.9mm, Banihal 14.4mm, Batote 13.8mm, Katra 12.7mm and Bhadarwah 6.0mm rainfall during the past 24 hours.
The MeT office said the weather will generally remain cloudy today with the possibility of light to moderate rain and snow at many places.
The main activity of weather is expected over Jammu region, Chenab Valley and higher reaches of south Kashmir. The plains of Jammu may receive light to moderate rain, thunder with gusty winds at a few places.
The higher reaches of Chenab Valley and south Kashmir may receive moderate snowfall with a depth of 7 to 12 inches, while higher reaches of north and Central Kashmir may experience 4 to 8 inches of snowfall during the period.
The night temperature improved in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, which recorded at 4.4°C and it was 2.9°C above the average during this period of the season.
Srinagar recorded the maximum temperature at 17.4°C on Wednesday, and it was 7.0°C above normal.
The ski resort of Gulmarg remains the coldest place, with the minimum temperature settled at -6.0°C, and this was 3.2°C above the normal, while tourist destination of Pahalgam had a low of minus 2.7°C, and it was 3.9°C above normal for the valley of shepherds, the MeT office said.
Meanwhile, Traffic movement has been suspended on both ends of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway due to slippery road conditions between Banihal and Ramsoo following heavy snowfall on Thursday.
Authorities have urged commuters to avoid traveling on the highway until weather conditions improve and the road is cleared for safe passage.
A traffic official said, “Traffic stopped from both ends on Jammu-Srinagar NHW due to slippery road condition between Banihal & Ramsoo because of heavy snowfall. Commuters are advised to avoid journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW till the weather is improve and road is clear. Please check status of roads at traffic police Twitter handle, Facebook page and TCUs.”
The chopper service from Katra to Sanjhi Chat remained suspended on Thursday due to fog in view of rains for the pilgrims of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine nestled in Trikuta Hills in Katra town of Reasi district.
"Due to rains, the Trikuta Hills are covered by dense fog, due to which the chopper service from Katra to Sanji Chhat has been suspended," said an official.
He said that the pilgrims were trekking either on foot or availing themselves of pithoo/palanquin (palki)/pony service due to suspended chopper service.
The chopper service will resume once the weather improves, he added.
He, however, said that the Shrine Board staff deployed along the track are guiding pilgrims to remain alert and watchful while performing pilgrimage.

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