Rain, snowfall in Kashmir leads to sharp mercury drop

The maximum temperature in Pahalgam tourist resort was recorded at 13 against normal of 18 degree Celsius while Kokernag mercury rose to 13.3 against usual 20 degrees Celsius.

The weather condition may trigger landslides and blockage of roads in vulnerable areas of the state, particularly along Srinagar-Jammu, Srinagar-Leh and Leh-Manali highways, the meteorological department said, adding that the weather system may also disrupt surface and air transport.

“Gulmarg received season’s first snowfall last evening”.

Kashmir based weather department Friday said that the region may witness moderate to heavy rainfall in coming days.

In Srinagar, the maximum temperature dropped eight degrees Celsius from the normal due to the chill because of the snowfall.

Many places in upper reaches of Kashmir, including the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg in north, continued to receive snowfall for the second day, official said here.

Dozens of far flung and remote areas, including near the LoC, were cut off with their respective headquarters due to more than one feet of snowfall.

While Srinagar recorded a rainfall of 1.9 mm, Kupwara, in north Kashmir, received 10 mm of rains, they said.

The holy Amarnath cave shrine and its periphery, Sheshnag, Mahaguns, Pisso top and Panjterni also received moderate to heavy snowfall.

Shopian and Mughal road besides other heights in south Kashmir also received snowfall, while plains were lashed by rains. However, intermittent snowfall and rain has hampered the restoration work.

Incessant rain in the plains and snow in the hills on Sunday saw Kashmiris shivering as the maximum temperatures dropped by eight to 10 degrees below normal here.