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| First snowfall closes Zojila, Mughal road | | Kashmir, Ladakh shiver with cold | | Javaid Naikoo
Srinagar, Oct 31: As upper reaches of Kashmir valley received first snowfall of the season, authorities closed the only road which connects Ladakh with Kashmir and under construction historic Mughal road.
The upper reaches of Kashmir division which include Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Peer Ki Gali on Mughal road, upper reaches of Sonamarg, Aharbal and Leh district of Ladakh received season's first snow fall yesterday while as plains across Kashmir received light to heavy rainfall causing a sharp dip in the temperature. According to reports of the MeT office minimum temperature in Leh area of Ladakh division dipped to minus 1.8 degrees Celsius last night, while as in tourist resort Gulmarg, the mercury dipped to minus 0.2 degrees Celsius.
According to the Director Weather office Sonum Lotus from November 1 till Nov 5, the weather would remain dry and pleasant in the Valley, although mornings and evenings would be cold across Kashmir and night temperatures will not fall further during this period as predicted.
The weather report revealed that minimum temperature was 4.8 degrees Celsius in Srinagar today while as it was 1.4 in tourist resort Pahalgam, minus 0.2 in Gulmarg ski resort, 2.0 in Kargil district of Ladakh division and minus 1.8 degrees Celsius in Leh town of Ladakh division, while as temperatures are likely to rise during the next six days which would be comparatively warmer.
Authorities closed the all important 430 km Srinagar-Leh national highway connecting Ladakh division with rest of the state via Srinagar due to snowfall at many places on the road as few inches of snow had accumulated on the road at Zojilla pass, while as under construction 82 km road between Shopian and Bafliaz, historical Mughal road was also closed due to the snowfall in Peer Ki Gali area and slippery condition of the road at many places. Pertinently as both the roads remain closed around five months during the winter season of Kashmir due to heavy snowfall along the roads at many places in the months of November and December, Union Cabinet though recently approved an all weather tunnel project to be constructed at Zojila pass.
However, the construction going on at snail's pace and denial of permission to construct a tunnel at Zaznar are being seen as a big hurdle in making the historic route an all weather road. |
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