The month long dry spell ended on Wednesday as most of the parts of the Valley received a fresh snowfall, bringing respite to the people from bone-chilling cold as the day temperature as per local Meteorological department (MeT) increased by several degrees.The prominent tourist destinations including Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam were among the places which experienced a fresh snowfall today. Unlike other areas, Srinagar received light rainfall this afternoon amidst the two-day long western disturbance that as per MeT affects Jammu and Kashmir from Tuesday evening.The fresh snowfall has led to closure of roads and highways in the Valley, leaving people to suffer.The MeT had already predicted that the fresh snowfall would lead to the closure of roads.As the snowfall occur, many pivotal roads including Srinaagar-Jammu highway and Bandipora-Gurez road was closed for the vehicular movement by the authorities as precautionary measure.The officials told KNO that the roads have been closed following the slippery conduction of the roads caused due to fresh snowfall here. Officials said that the roads will be thrown open as soon as it will be cleared by pressing men and machinery. Earlier, the MeT department had issued a fresh weather advisory, forecasting a major wet spell in Jammu and Kashmir including Ladakh.The official said that the next western disturbance (WD) will most likely affect the state from evening of January 4 to 6, adding that similarly under its influence, there is possibility of moderate rain or snowfall at widespread places of Jammu and Kashmir including Ladakh, saying that there is possibility of heavy snowfall at isolated places with maximum intensity and spread on 4 and 5 January and gradual decrease thereafter.
“This will be the first major wet spell in the starting of New Year for J&K,” MeT official said, adding that higher reaches of Kashmir, Ladakh and hilly area of Jammu would receive moderate snowfall during 4 and 5 January with possibility of heavy snowfall in isolated places.The MeT official further added that there will be significant fall in day temperature while as the night temperature would rise slightly.The fresh snowfall across Kashmir expect Srinagar has resulted in rise in the day temperature with officials informing that Srinagar recorded a 0 degrees Celsius on Tuesday night -- an increase of over four degrees from minus 4.2 degrees Celsius on the previous night.Gulmarg received snowfall equivalent to 8.8 mm of rains till 8.30 am, while Kargil was the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 17.0 degrees Celsius. The night temperature in Leh town in Ladakh region was minus 12.4 degrees Celsius.Meanwhile, as per the communication of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, there is a danger of avalanches from January 02, 2019 (1700 hrs) to 3rd January 2019 (1700 hrs) in avalanche prone areas of Bandipora, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kulgam, Budgam, Kupwara, Ganderbal, Leh and Kargil districts of Kashmir Division.Deputy Commissioners of the concerned districts have been asked to advise people not to venture out in avalanche prone areas during the period.Besides, the DCs have also been asked to take precautionary measures and to keep the SDRF, Police, para-medical staff with ambulances in readiness to avert any untoward incident.(KNO)