1. Srinagar and the plains of Kashmir witness the season’s first snowfall, bringing joy to residents.
2. Commencing late Wednesday night, the snowfall continued into the morning, creating a picturesque snowy landscape.
3. The valley transforms into a winter wonderland with the onset of the winter’s inaugural snowfall.
Srinagar, Feb 01: The winter’s inaugural snowfall graced Srinagar and the plains of Kashmir on Thursday, eliciting joy among residents. Commencing late Wednesday night, the snowfall continued into the morning, covering the valley in a picturesque snowy blanket.
While Srinagar received around two inches of snow, various towns and areas reported varying amounts, with Gulmarg witnessing a substantial 14-inch snowfall. The higher elevations experienced moderate to heavy snowfall.
This marks the season’s first snowfall in the plains of the Kashmir valley, including the summer capital, Srinagar. The region had encountered minimal precipitation in the form of rain earlier in the winter.
The prolonged dry spell during Chilla-i-Kalan, the 40-day harsh winter period, gave way to snowfall, bringing relief to the tourists and locals engaged in the tourism sector.
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The Srinagar-Jammu national highway faced closure due to shooting stones between Ramsoo and Banihal, and alternate routes, including the Mughal road and the Srinagar-Leh highway, were also blocked due to snow accumulation.
The snowfall was a source of delight for the residents who expressed gratitude for the blessing, and anticipating more snowfall in the upcoming days.
Irfan Ahmad, a resident of Ganderbal, emphasized the significance of snow for sustenance, citing its importance for water resources, horticulture, and combating respiratory ailments.
Orchardists in the valley expressed happiness, as the snowfall rejuvenated the land, benefiting farmers and ensuring the well-being of horticulture produce.
The MeT Office forecasted continued cloudy weather with light snow at a few places, followed by a gradual improvement. Friday’s weather was expected to remain dry with the possibility of very light snow at isolated higher reaches.
The weather office predicted a chance of light to moderate snow/rain in Jammu at many places on February 3-4, with dry conditions thereafter until February 12.
The recorded minimum temperatures included 0.2 degrees Celsius in Srinagar, minus 4.1 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam, minus 0.4 degrees Celsius in Qazigund, minus 1.4 degrees Celsius in Kokernag, minus 0.7 degrees Celsius in Kupwara, and minus 7.6 degrees Celsius in Gulmarg, making it the coldest place in the valley.
