Early Times Report
Srinagar, Dec 20: The Kashmir valley, including summer capital, Srinagar, received light to moderate snowfall on Friday, ahead of 40-day-long "Chilai Kalan", the severest period of the winter.
A Met department spokesman said there could be fairly widespread light rain or snow in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir and isolated snow over UT of Ladakh region during the next 24 hours. During the subsequent two days, isolated light rain or snow to dry weather is predicted, he said.
Sun briefly appeared before going again behind the clouds in the valley, where mercury was still below normal. Due to icy cold winds early in the morning, a number of water bodies and drains besides taps were frozen again which later melts as the day progress.
Though the sky was cloudy, people were taken by surprise in Srinagar when it suddenly started snowing this afternoon. However, it was followed by light snow and rain together, disrupting normal life.
The 40-day-long Chilai Kalan, being considered coldest period of winter will start from mid-night. It is said that during this period earth goes dead and nothing will grow. However, due to changed technology and technique, farmers are now growing vegetables and flowers in green houses by using heating arrangements. The Chilai Kalan will follow 20-day-long Chilai Khurd and 10-day-long Chilai Bacha.
Met spokesman said minimum temperature in Srinagar witnessed slight drop and settled at minus 2.6 degree against yesterdays minus 2.3 degree. This was one degree below normal in the city, where maximum temperature yesterday was 7.8 degree, over a notch below normal.
He said sky would be partly to generally cloudy and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 7 degree and minus 1 degree respectively during the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the higher reaches, including world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, health resort of Pahalgam, received fresh snowfall this afternoon.
Snow started in the afternoon and tree and roof tops besides open areas turned white in Gulmarg, a hotel owner told UNI. However, upper heights, including Kongdori, Khilanmarg and Affarwat, the highest skiing point connected by Cable Car from base camp received moderate to heavy snowfall, much delight to some tourists. The minimum temperature witnessed some improvement as against yesterdays minus 7.2 degree it was minus 6.5 degree.
Snowfall was also reported in north Kashmir, where roads to different border towns, including Keran, Karnah and Machil, are still open. However, road from Bandipora to border town of Gurez remained closed for the past about two weeks due to accumulation of several feet of snow at Razdan pass.
Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir also received fresh snowfall this afternoon. However, upper reaches, including holy Amarnath cave shrine, Panjterni, Pisso top, Sheshnag and Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional yatra route received moderate to heavy snowfall.
Reports of snowfall were also received on historic Mughal road remained closed for the past ten days, Harpora and other upper reaches in south Kashmir.
Pahalgam recorded minus 4.1 degree minimum temperature against yesterdays minus 4.9 degree.
People in Ladakh region continued to shiver as mercury remained below freezing point. The minimum temperature at Drass, the second coldest place in the world was minus 16.1 degree against yesterdays minus 16.1 degree while at Leh it was minus 8.1 degree against minus 12.6 degree recorded yesterday. Met spokesman said sky would be partly to generally cloudy and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 1 degree and minus 7 degree respectively during the next 24 hours. |
