Snow, rain end Valley’s long dry spell

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 11

A four-month-long dry spell came to an end today as snowfall and rain lashed the Kashmir valley. Though all major highways were blocked, the precipitation revived hopes of the tourism industry of increase in footfall.

The region’s tourism industry, which faced a rough year so far, had been waiting eagerly for the snow to attract holidaymakers and adventure tourists seeking thrill on the skiing slopes of Gulmarg.

The rain and snow began overnight across the Valley and continued with a few pauses for almost 20 hours. The forecast issued by the Meteorological Department said the downpour will further continue for the next two days.

An official at the Traffic Control Room said all three roads leading in and out of the Valley had been blocked and vehicular traffic put on halt. The official said the Srinagar-Jammu highway, Srinagar-Leh highway and Mughal Road have been closed for all vehicular traffic due to snow and rain along the route, which has made these mountainous stretches risky for driving.

The official said the Srinagar-Leh highway and Mughal Road, which provide connectivity between Kashmir and Jammu divisions, will now remain closed till April next year.

The suspension of road connectivity has come at a time when many hilly areas of the region have witnessed the season’s first major snowfall, marking the arrival of an early winter.

The snowfall was received at Gulmarg in north Kashmir, Sonamarg in central Kashmir and peripheral areas of south Kashmir along Mughal Road.

Srinagar, the state’s summer capital, received moderate rainfall throughout the day and last night.

The state government has put it men and machinery on an alert in wake of the weather advisory and tasked it key departments to ensure “speedy snow clearance and dewatering”. The Mechanical Engineering Department has activated 10 control rooms in south Kashmir, five in north Kashmir and three in central Kashmir.

The state’s Meteorological Department said moderate rain and snow would occur at most places over the state tomorrow followed by a decline in intensity and spread of precipitation. The department, however, warned that there are chances of isolated heavy snow and rainfall in the region.

Downpour to continue: Met dept

• The rain and snow began overnight across the Valley and continued with a few pauses for almost 20 hours
• The forecast issued by the Meteorological Department said the downpour will further continue for the next two days