Fresh snowfall in Kashmir Valley,Snow disrupts life in Srinagar

Srinagar, Feb 19, CNS: Kashmir Valley, including summer capital Srinagar and other plain areas, received fresh snowfall on Thursday while as usaul mild rains and snowfall inundated parts of Srinagar-exposing once again the defunct drainage system of the city.

    A MeT department official told CNS that the  world famous ski resort of Gulmarg and tourist resort of Pahalgam and other heights experienced fresh snowfall while plains including Srinagar city also witnesses the same resulting in the decrease in the day and night temperature.

   The official of the MeT said occasional rain or snow could continue in Kashmir till February 24. Gulmarg slopes, already under about white powder, received about three feet of fresh snowfall since early morning on Thursday. The upper reaches, including Khilanmarg, Kongdori and Affarwat, the highest skiing point connected by Cable Car, received moderate to heavy snowfall. Met spokesman said the minimum temperature at famed ski resort was minus 5.7 degree.

   The upper reaches in the north Kashmir, including Sadhna and Razdan passes, Keran, Karnah and other areas near the Line of Control (LoC) also received fresh one feet to two feet snowfall. However, the plains in the north Kashmir received rain and snow.

Kupwara recorded minus 0.1 degree, about two notches above normal after few inches of fresh snowfall. Tree tops and roof tops besides open fields had turned white due to few inches of fresh snowfall at Pahalgam, base camp of Amarnath cave shrine. Heavy to very heavy snowfall was recorded at cave shrine and its periphery, Sheshnag, Mahaguns, Panjterni, Pisso top and Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on traditional yatra route.

Met spokesman said there was considerable improvement in the minimum temperature at Pahalgam.

    Srinagar, Shopian, Kulgam, Baramulla, Sopore, Ganderbal and other places also received moderate to heavy snowfall and rain.

    Meanwhile, many parts of Srinagar city were inundated due to defunct drainage system. (CNS)