Srinagar: Rains and snow, which lashed Jammu and Kashmir intermittently from last five days, are likely to abate as meteorological department on Wednesday forecast improvement in weather for now.
“The weather will improve from today. There is possibility of very light rain/snow at a few places in next 24 hours,” a meteorological department official said.
In last 24-hours, some places in the state received heavy snowfall with Banihal amassing 35 centimeters of snow followed by Kokernag 23 centimeters and Qazigund 17 centimeters.
The MeT official said that Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort, had 4 centimeters of fresh snow in 24-hours till 0830 hours while as it recorded a low of minus 10.0 degrees Celsius to be the coldest place in the Valley.
Pahalgam recorded 6 centimeters of fresh snow during the time and night temperature settled at minus 5.5 degree Celsius at the famous hill resort while Qazigund and Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 2.0 degrees Celsius and minus 5.5 degrees Celsius respectively.
As per meteorological department, there was 2 centimeters of snowfall recorded in Kupwara in 24-hours and minimum temperature there settled at minus 0.7 degrees Celsius.
This summer capital of the state also witnessed 1.8mm of rainfall in 24-hours till 0830 hours and recorded a low of minus 0.3 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, a traffic department official told INS that Srinagar-Jammu highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the world, remained closed for the third consecutive day.
He said the huge avalanche that hit the tunnel on the Qazigund side yesterday was yet to be cleared.
There was no loss of life or injury reported in the avalanche and as per the officials a massive disaster could have befallen had it struck few meters further north where all barracks of government forces and the tunnel’s maintenance staff are located.
He said that clearance operation was underway and till that time, no vehicular movement will be allowed.
In addition, he said, landslides also hit the highway during the last two days at Digdol, Panthal and Khoni Nallah.
“As and when highway is made traffic worthy, stranded traffic will be cleared on priority and no traffic will be allowed,” the official added.
