SRINAGAR: Normal life in Kashmir paralyzed on Tuesday due to heavy snowfall in the region from past three days, even as the weatherman predicted respite from Wednesday.
The plains and upper reaches of the Valley have received heavy snowfall. Srinagar has recorded 8 centimetre of fresh snow, Gulmarg 20.3 cm, Kokernag 26.0, Qazigund 29.8, Kupwara 2.0 cm and Pahalgam 18 cm.
“Heavy to very heavy snowfall is likely to occur in the valley during the next 24 hours (till Wednesday). There would be an overall improvement in weather beginning tomorrow,” an official of the local meteorological department said.
Gulmarg in north Kashmir was the coldest place in the Valley where minimum temperature was minus 4.0 degrees.
Srinagar, the summer capital of the state recorded a low of minus 0.8 while the mercury in Qazigund in south Kashmir settled at a low of minus 0.2 degrees Celsius.
The night temperature in Pahalgam – the famous tourist place settled at a low of minus 1.1 degrees.
Kokernag town recorded a low of minus 1.0 degrees Celsius while Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a low of minus 0.7 degrees Celsius last night.
Jammu city recorded a minimum temperature of 11.9, Katra 10.2, Batote minus 0.4, Bannihal zero and Bhaderwah minus 0.2.
Scores of villages across the valley have been cut off after the link roads got blocked by the snow. Commuters found difficulties in travelling due to snow accumulation on the roads. The snow has also disrupted power supply at many places in the Kashmir Valley.
While it is still snowing, motorists were challenged by impassable and slippery roads, slowing down the system.
Slippery roads have also led to massive traffic congestions in many parts of the Srinagar city.
Similar reports of light to heavy snowfall were reported from all the major district headquarters of the valley.
The Srinagar -Jammu national highway remained closed for the third consecutive day due to heavy snowfall around Jawahar Tunnel and in Banihal of Ramban district.
Officials said that thousands of vehicles including trucks have been stranded on the highway.
Meanwhile, all morning flights to and from Srinagar airport have been cancelled due to snow on the runway.
“Today [Tuesday] weather at Srinagar airport not looks favourable for flight operation, Although @Aaisnrairport team working on it but it is requested to avoid inconvenience before reaching Airport, contact with concern airlines for status and then move,” the Srinagar airport authorities tweeted.
The Mughal Road, an alternate road that connects the Kashmir valley to Jammu region through Shopian-Rajouri axis, also remains closed in the winter due to heavy snowfall.
