Kashmir valley, including summer capital, Srinagar, received fresh light to moderate snow and rain since last night, resulting in considerable dip in the maximum temperature.Srinagar turned white due to fresh snowfall since late last night after heavy rain, disrupting power supply in majority areas in the city, where most of the roads has been waterlogged.Roof, tree tops and roads had turned white in Srinagar and its adjoining areas, resulting in further chill. Everything was under a blanket of white powder. However, during the month of January, Srinagar recorded highest snowfall in the last three decades, after about six months of long dry spell.Director MeT Sonam Lotus told CNS that inclement weather will prevail till March 11, however from 16 onwards; Valley may again receive rain or snowfall. He said light snow would occur during the next 24 hours in Srinagar.An Airport official told CNS that few morning flights could not land due to poor visibility and snow.
However, he said as the day progressed, the visibility improved and flight operates normally.Moderate to heavy snowfall was recorded in other parts of Kashmir Valley including Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Bandipora, Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag. Reports said that heavy snowfall was recorded in Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonmarg. Tourists were seen enjoying the fresh spree of snowfall at ski-resort Gulmarg.The strategic Srinagar-Jammu highway remained closed for the third consecutive day on Friday while the 9.4 km long Nashri-Chenani tunnel was thrown open for traffic on a trial basis. According to officials, the tunnel that connects Udhampur with the Ramban district here was opened on Thursday afternoon.After its formal inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in March, the tunnel would reduce the distance between Jammu and Srinagar by about 40 kms. It will also save nearly two hours of journey time on the highway.No traffic movement would be allowed from Jammu to Srinagar because of fresh snowfall in Bannihal sector and landslides in the Ramban sector of the highway, officials said. (CNS)