Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Nov 13
Rain lashed the plains and snowfall covered higher reaches of Kashmir, the Chenab Valley and the Pir Panjal region for a second consecutive day on Friday, disrupting traffic on several mountain roads and bringing a sharp chill to the region.
Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district received the season’s first snowfall. Fresh snow was also reported from Gurez, Tulail, Tangdhar, Keran and Machail in north Kashmir, as well as the Warwan and Marwah valleys in the Chenab region.
Several popular tourist destinations, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Bhaderwah, also received fresh snowfall in their higher reaches.
The Meteorological Department had forecast light to moderate rain in the plains and snowfall in higher areas at most places, with moderate to heavy precipitation likely in higher reaches from November 12.
Gulmarg recorded the highest rainfall in the preceding 24 hours at 40.6 mm, followed by Kupwara with 37.3 mm. Srinagar received 16.3 mm, Pahalgam 22.4 mm, Qazigund 5.8 mm and Kokernag 6.4 mm.
In the Jammu division, Jammu city recorded 4.4 mm of rainfall, while Banihal received 10.5 mm, Batote 16.1 mm, Katra 5.2 mm and Bhaderwah 15.3 mm.
Snowfall varied across the higher reaches. Razdan Pass and Sadhna Pass received more than a foot of snow, while Warwan and Marwah valleys in Kishtwar recorded around one foot.
Sinthan Top received 8-10 inches, while Z-Gali and Margan Top recorded 6-8 inches each. Peer Ki Gali received 5-8 inches.
Zojila Pass recorded 5-6 inches of snow, and Minamarg around six inches. Baltal and Pahalgam received 4-6 inches, Gurez Valley 3-5 inches and Sonamarg 2-3 inches.
In the Bhaderwah valley, snowfall of around six inches was reported from Chatergala Pass, Padri, Bal Padri, Bach Dhar and Guldanda.
Director of the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Mukhtar Ahmad, said a moderate Western Disturbance had followed an earlier weak system, bringing significant precipitation to Jammu and Kashmir.
“While rainfall dominated the plains, higher peaks witnessed moderate snowfall of eight inches to one foot,” Ahmad said.
The snowfall disrupted traffic on several mountain routes, including the Srinagar-Leh highway via Zojila, Mughal Road, Sinthan Top, Margan Top, Razdan Pass and Sadhna Pass.
The Mughal Road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch, remained closed after snowfall made the stretch around Peer Ki Gali slippery.
The Border Roads Organisation launched snow-clearance operations, but continued precipitation hampered restoration efforts. Officials said the road would be reopened subject to favourable weather conditions.
The Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road also remained closed because of snowfall along the Zojila axis. Traffic movement was suspended from both Sonamarg and Minamarg.
The Traffic Police Headquarters advised commuters and transporters not to travel towards Zojila Pass until further notice.
Snow-clearing operations were also undertaken on the Chowkibal-Tangdhar road in Kupwara district.
Authorities in Bandipora temporarily prohibited tourists from visiting Gurez and Tulail valleys in view of the weather forecast. Those already staying in the areas were advised to coordinate their departure with the district control room.
The closure of Razdan Pass, the only road connecting Gurez with the rest of Kashmir, left the valley cut off by road.
Snowfall continued in the area from Thursday afternoon until Friday morning, covering Dawar, Choorwan, Baktoor and Kanzalwan.
The wet weather ended a prolonged dry spell in the Chenab region, bringing relief to farmers and tourism operators, particularly in Bhaderwah.
Fresh snowfall covered tourist destinations including Guldanda, Chatergala, Padri, Bhal Padri and Bach Dhar.
The snowfall attracted tourists to Chatergala and Guldanda, where visitors were seen playing in the snow and recording videos for social media.
Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 15.2 degrees Celsius on Friday, compared with 10 degrees on Thursday.
Pahalgam recorded a maximum of 14.1 degrees, while Gulmarg settled at 6.2 degrees. Qazigund recorded 13.4 degrees, Kokernag 14 degrees and Kupwara 10.3 degrees.
Minimum temperatures remained relatively high because of persistent cloud cover. Srinagar recorded 6.2 degrees Celsius, Qazigund 6.4 degrees, Kokernag 5.2 degrees, Kupwara 4 degrees and Pahalgam 4 degrees. Gulmarg recorded a minimum of minus 0.5 degrees.
In Jammu city, the maximum temperature was 28 degrees Celsius. Banihal recorded 25.5 degrees, Batote 16.2 degrees, Katra 24.5 degrees and Bhaderwah 15.3 degrees.
The Meteorological Department has forecast generally cloudy conditions, with light to moderate rain in the plains and snowfall in higher reaches at most places on Friday. Moderate to heavy precipitation in higher areas was expected to continue until late afternoon.
A brief spell of light rain or snow at isolated places is likely on November 14 and 15, followed by generally dry weather from November 16 to 20.
The department has forecast a fall of 6-8 degrees Celsius in daytime temperatures during November 12 and 13. Thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds are also possible at a few places.
It advised farmers to store harvested crops safely and cautioned travellers that snowfall could disrupt movement across mountain passes and hilly roads.
Despite the rainfall, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained open for regulated two-way traffic on Friday, although movement was slow at several locations because of road construction, narrow stretches and vehicle breakdowns.
According to traffic authorities, slow movement was reported at Dawal in Udhampur, where a 30-40 metre stretch has been reduced to a single lane with an uneven road surface.
Traffic was also affected between Marog and Kishtwari Pather in Ramban district, while a vehicle breakdown at Dalwas further disrupted movement.
Traffic was being regulated at Dawal to facilitate the passage of vehicles through the narrow stretch.
Passengers and light motor vehicle operators were advised to travel during daylight hours and avoid night journeys because of the risk of shooting stones and landslides, particularly along the Ramban-Banihal stretch, where construction work is under way.
The Traffic Police also advised commuters to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking and wrong-lane driving.
Movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers along the Digdol-Khooni Nallah stretch was restricted between 7 am and 7 pm because of highway widening work.
Vehicles carrying inflammable material are not permitted through tunnels, while the uphill movement of tankers beyond Chenani is allowed only between 5 pm and 5 am.
For Saturday, passenger vehicles, private cars, goods carriers and heavy motor vehicles were permitted to travel in both directions on the highway, subject to favourable weather and road conditions.
Traffic authorities also issued an advisory for the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road, allowing passenger vehicles and private cars to move in both directions subject to clearance from road maintenance agencies.
Vehicles were permitted to travel from PP Parana towards Anantnag between 8 am and 4 pm and from Daksum towards Kishtwar between 9 am and 4 pm.
Traffic Control Units in Jammu and Srinagar will coordinate with their Ramban counterparts to monitor road conditions and regulate movement.
Rajouri and Poonch districts in the Pir Panjal region also experienced a second consecutive day of inclement weather on Friday, with light rain in the plains and snowfall in higher reaches.
The Mughal Road was closed after snow accumulated between Chatta Pani in Poonch and Hirpora in Shopian.
The Border Roads Organisation began snow-clearance operations early Friday. The road was cleared by late afternoon, allowing traffic to resume for a few hours in the evening.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Traffic Rajouri-Poonch Ajaz Ahmed said the road had remained closed from early morning until late afternoon.
The Srinagar-Leh National Highway remained closed for a second consecutive day after snowfall at Zojila Pass.
Around 3-4 inches of snow had accumulated on the pass, prompting authorities to suspend vehicular movement.
The BRO deployed machinery to clear the snow from both Sonamarg and Minamarg sides.
An official of BRO’s Project Beacon said clearance operations were underway along the Zojila axis.
Traffic officials said only light motor vehicles travelling from Kargil towards Srinagar were allowed, while heavy vehicles were barred from both directions.
