Snow returns

Srinagar, Jan 27: As forecast by meteorologists, a fresh spell of wet weather brought snowfall to Kashmir on Tuesday, disrupting air and surface transport across the Valley.

Snowfall began in Srinagar in the morning and continued intermittently into the late afternoon, coating the city in a thin layer of snow and making several roads and thoroughfares slippery.

All flights to and from Srinagar Airport were cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, officials said.

Residents in several parts of north and south Kashmir woke up to fresh snowfall.

While the plains received a light snowfall, the upper reaches were blanketed by heavy snowfall. Popular tourist destinations, including Sonamarg, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, also received fresh snow.

ìGulmarg recorded around 1.5 feet of fresh snowfall,î Director of the Gulmarg Adventure Tourism Academy, Azhar Fayaz Lone, told Greater Kashmir.

ìNearly 70 percent of the snowfall occurred during the night, while it continued intermittently during the day,î he said.

Residents in south Kashmirís Shopian town, traditionally known for heavy snowfall, reported 10 to 13 inches of fresh snowfall, while higher-altitude areas like Heerpora and Sedow in the Shopian district received around 1.5 feet of snow.

Due to heavy snow accumulation, several mountainous roads, including the Mughal Road, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri, Anantnag-Sinthan Top-Kishtwar, and Gawran-Margan Top-Warwan routes, remained closed.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said widespread light to moderate rain and snowfall continued across J&K on Monday, with several areas recording heavy precipitation.

Batote received 100 mm of rainfall, followed by Banihal and Bhaderwah with 97 mm each, Katra with 77 mm, and Jammu with 68 mm.

The middle and higher reaches of the Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal range witnessed heavy snowfall.

ìThe intensity of the ongoing weather system is expected to weaken from late evening onwards, with gradual improvement by night,î an IMD official said.

Authorities advised travellers and transporters to check road and highway conditions before travel, urged farmers to suspend agricultural operations until January 28, and cautioned residents in snow-bound higher reaches against venturing into avalanche-prone and steep areas.