During the intervening night, full-size snowfall has been reported in areas such as Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Gurez, and Karnah in Kashmir. Over inches of snow have already been accumulated within the Gulmarg bowl, while heavier snowfall has been observed in higher reaches of the valley. This sudden development and early arrival of winter have excited travelers, as snowfall in higher reaches of the valley, including famous vacation locations like Sonamarg and Gulmarg, brings wintry conditions.
The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, connecting the Kashmir valley to the rest of the country, has been closed, prompting the administration to order fuel rationing. This is the first-time snowfall for three days has forced this decision. Meanwhile, Srinagar had a high temperature of 25.7°C, which was 0.6°C colder than usual for J&K’s summer capital. Jammu’s maximum temperature of 32.2°C was 0.3°C below J&K’s average for the winter, the official continued.
The first snowfall of the season falls in Kashmir Valley
High-altitude areas in Kashmir experienced snowfall, including Pir Ki Gali, causing road closures for vehicular traffic. The first snowfall of the season occurred in higher reaches of Kashmir on Wednesday, bringing down temperatures across the Himalayan Valley. Winds from the Mediterranean Sea and Maha Cyclone’s interaction brought the snowfall to Kashmir, affecting the region’s weather patterns.
However, Rains swept most parts of the Valley, including Srinagar and Kupwara, from early morning. Moderate snowfall was observed at Ganderbal district’s Sonamarg and the ski resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla district. Ladakh’s Drass also received a moderate spell, with rains lashing most parts of the Valley, including Srinagar and Kupwara. Additionally, The Mediterranean Sea’s ‘western disturbance’ is causing temporary disruptions on surface transportation, particularly over passes like Zojila, Srinagar- Jammu, and Leh-Manali highways, due to landslides, low temperatures, and heavy snowfall.
Significant snowfall in Kashmir hampers daily life
Widespread snowfall in Kashmir caused major disruptions to daily life, as surface transportation, aviation, and other regular activities came to a complete stop.Since early in the morning, there has been constant snowfall throughout the Valley, resulting in about 5 inches of snow on the ground in Srinagar.
However,the state of affairs is concerning for the adventure tourism sector. According to Rouf Tramboo, president of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir, “we have witnessed a 70% decline in tourist arrivals in Gulmarg, where most of the adventure and sports events are organized in winter.” Many tourists who had reserved hotels for the winter vacations were disappointed by the lack of snow during the 40-day Chillai Kalan, which is the coldest time of the year that begins on December 21. Muhammad Arif, a hotel manager in Gulmarg, stated, “We were fully booked till April, but now the majority of guests are canceling, some are rescheduling, and a few are short-staying.”
Kashmir Valley’s upper reaches; Srinagar Highway blocked
The season’s first significant snowfall fell on the Valley’s upper reaches. In the valley’s populated regions, which include the tourist destinations of Gulmarg and Sonamarg, this was the first fall. The arrival of snow in hill stations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam is a glimmer of light for the tourist industry in the region, which has been badly impacted by the coronavirus epidemic for most of the year. The inclement weather has caused the Srinagar-Jammu highway to be closed. Additionally, there is a significant drop in temperature.
Besides, Due to landslides and shooting stones near Mehar, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is blocked to motor vehicles, authorities said on Monday.
“Landslide/shooting stones at Mehar blocks NH-44. Until restoration, people are advised not to travel,” warned the Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police, in a strict caution for travellers givent that the trucks delivering fruit from Kashmir travel through the highway towards the rest of the nation, while trucks carrying other vehicles and commodities heading for Kashmir travel through it.
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