Kashmir plains receive season's first snowfall; traffic disrupted

Many tourists were seen enjoying the snowfall near Dal Lake and clicking photos and recording videos on mobile phones

Jammu and Kashmir snowfall An auto-rickshaw drives on a snow-covered road | AP

The plains in Kashmir received the season’s first snowfall ending a prolonged dry spell. The snowfall is likely to impact the intense cold wave sweeping Kashmir Moderate snowfall was witnessed in all districts of Kashmir and Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar in Jammu, while the plains in the regions witnessed rainfall.

Snowfall threw life out of gear and also caused disruptions in traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, Mughal Road (Shopian to Poonch/Rajouri), Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri Road (connects Ladakh), Sinthan-Kishtwar Road and Kokernag-Marwa-Warwan Road.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah intervened to assist vehicles stranding at key points on the Srinagr-Jammu highway. He called the deputy commissioner Anantnag and directed him to ensure all help to the stranded vehicles.

For the tourists, the annual ritual brought joy. Many tourists were seen enjoying the snowfall near Dal Lake and clicking photos and recording videos on mobile phones.

According to the meteorological department forecast, 12-18 inches of snowfall is expected in higher altitudes, while south Kashmir’s plains may also receive snowfall. Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded -7.3°C, Pahalgam-8.0°C, Qazigund -6.9°C, Kokernag -4.8°C, Gulmarg -6.0°C and Kupwara -6.4°C.

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