Season’s 1st snow in lower areas ends dry spell

Several parts of Kashmir received fresh snowfall, including the season’s first in many areas, on Friday, bringing much relief to the residents after days of dry spell. Also, there was a slight increase in the minimum temperatures at most places in the Valley.

A western disturbance hit Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, bringing light snowfall in many areas of the Valley. Snowfall was recorded in the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg, tourist resorts of Sonamarg and Pahalgam, Gurez, Zojila axis, Sadhna Top, Mughal Road, and many areas in Bandipora, Baramulla, and Kupwara districts.

Season’s first snowfall was also recorded in the plains of Srinagar, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, and Pulwama districts. There are reports of fresh snowfall in other higher reaches of the Valley as well.

“It is the season’s first snowfall in Srinagar and other plains of Kashmir Valley,” said Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department. “It will definitely bring relief to the people. From Sunday, weather will likely improve,” he added.

The snowfall comes at a time when the Valley has witnessed over 80 percent rainfall deficit since October. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said under the influence of the western disturbance, light rain is possible in the plains of Jammu and light snowfall in the higher reaches of the Chenab valley and Pir Panjal range.

Light snowfall over middle and higher reaches, particularly over south and central Kashmir, is also most likely, it said.

Meanwhile, intense cold wave-like conditions prevailed across Kashmir as the minimum temperatures continued to settle several degrees below the freezing point, even as there was a light increase in the night temperatures at most places of the Valley.

Srinagar recorded a low of minus 7.3° Celsius on Thursday night while Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 6° Celsius, the department added.

Meanwhile, officials said arrangements were in place to deal with the snowfall and they were monitoring the situation closely. “The roads are being cleared in the region. Senior officials are also keeping a close watch on the situation,” said an official.

The weather is expected to remain mainly dry from December 29-31 and light snowfall is possible at isolated places in Kashmir from January 1-5. The MeT Office said there is a likelihood of some increase in temperatures till Monday. CM Omar Abdullah said he drove from Jammu to Srinagar and there were around 2,000 vehicles stuck in snow.

University exams postponed

In view of the inclement weather, all examinations of the University of Kashmir scheduled to be held on Saturday have been postponed. Fresh dates will be announced soon

Srinagar International Airport Director Javed Anjum said seven flights were cancelled due to snowfall on Friday. “The flight operations were hit after 5 pm,” he said, adding if weather improved, operations will resume on Saturday