Srinagar received this year’s first snowfall on Monday. Rain and Snowfall started in Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir valley on Monday morning.The snowfall started in the morning, a MeT department official said, adding that the minimum temperature appreciated by nearly three degrees from yesterday's minus 3.9 degrees Celsius to settle at minus 2.2 degree Celsius because of cloudy sky.Reports said that snow brought with it troubles for commuters as traffic along the Srinagar-Jammu national highway was affected for many hours. The state administration has issued avalanche warning in higher reaches of the Valley and people have been advised not to venture out in avalanche prone areas. It was the first snowfall after the commencement of 'Chillai-Kalan', the 40-day period of harshest winter on December 21. Officials at the state meteorological department said the weather conditions would improve from Tuesday.
Sonam Lotus, director, MeT depatment, said, “Higher reaches of the Valley, including Srinagar, Shopian and Anantnag, experienced snowfall. “The weather will improve from Tuesday. No snowfall or rain is expected in the next three to four days,” Lotus added.There were also reports of snowfall from Jawahar Tunnel in south Kashmir and Kupwara district in north Kashmir.The MeT official said skiing resort Gulmarg recorded a minimum of -5.6 degrees Celsius, while Leh in Ladakh shivered at -7.8 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam recorded a minimum of -0.4 degrees Celsius, while Kargil town recorded a minimum of -9 degrees Celsius, they said. (CNS)