Rain in plains, light snow in higher reaches of J&K, Ladakh

Higher reaches including Gulmarg received fresh snowfall while rains lashed plains in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Monday. The snowfall has led to closure of Bandipora-Gurez as well as Srinagar-Leh roads besides Machil, Keran and Karnah.

Mughal road, connecting shopian with Poonch and Rajouri districts as well as Kishtwar-Sinthan road are closed.

Offical said that there were 3 inches of fresh snowfall around Razdan top and other adjoining areas, leading to the closure of the Bandipora-Gurez highway.

Reports of 2 inches snowfall was recorded in Kishtwar—Machial (2 inches), Ishtayari (3 inches) Marwah (3 inches) and Warwan (6 inches).

Reports from Kupwara said that Machil recorded 5 inches, Z Gali (7 inches) Firkantop (6 inches) and Sadna top (7 inches) while it was still snowing.

“As expected, light snow/rain occurred at many places in both J&K and Ladakh,” a meteorological department official said.

Regarding forecast, he said, weather will remain generally cloudy in both J&K and Ladakh with chances of light snow at some places, mainly over higher reaches during the next 24 hours. “There’s no forecast of any major snowfall till ending December. “He said from tomorrow, “appreciable” rise in day temperature and fall in mercury during night. “There would be warmer days and colder nights till approach of next Western Disturbance,” he added.