Higher reaches of J&K, HP receive fresh snowfall
CHILL SETS IN Leh continues to be coldest in J&K at 3.7°C ; MET says incessant rains to continue for next 2448 hours in region; Himachal farmers heave a sigh of relief
SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Over a monthlong dry spell in Jammu and Kashmir ended on Monday with the higher reaches receiving fresh snowfall and the plains lashed by rains, leading to a rise in minimum temperature at most places across the Valley and Ladakh region. Jammu city had last witnessed light rains on November 15 after over two months of dry spell.
Many areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall during the night, the Meteorological (MET) department officials said.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 3.1°Celcius, up by over four degrees from the previous night’s minus 1.2°Celsius, the official said, adding that the city received 4.3 mm of rainf+all during the night.
The maximum temperature in Jammu settled at 14.3°Celsius. Jammu received 26.2 mm rainfall on Monday.
The mercury at all other places in the Valley settled above the freezing point.
Leh continued to be the coldest recorded place in the state as the mercury settled at a low of minus 3.7 degrees Celsius last night.
There are reports of snowfall in other areas in the higher reaches of the valley like Gurez, Tulail, Razdan Pass, Sonamarg, Zojila, Amarnath Cave, Sadhna Top and Affarwat.
The officials said plain areas in Kashmir, including the summer capital Srinagar, received rains which were going on at many places.
In Jammu region, about one feet of snow was recorded in the Peer Ki Gali area along the Mughal road.
LINK BETWEEN KASHMIR, REST OF COUNTRY CLOSED
Mughal road, an alternate link between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, was closed for vehicular traffic due to snowfall, the officials said.
The traffic on the Mughal road was suspended around 4 pm on Sunday as a precautionary measure in view of the weather forecast indicating possibility of moderate to heavy snowfall in the high altitude areas disturbance from December 11 to 14, an official said.
Traffic on the Srinagarjammu highway, connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the world, was also suspended on Monday evening due to incessant rains, till unknown period.
“In view of incessant rains at Patnitop, Ramban and Banihal besides snowfall on either side of Jawahar Tunnel, the highway was closed for traffic around 5 pm,” said a traffic police officer.
POWER SUPPLY DISRUPTED
The rainfall has affected power supply in many parts of the region. Many areas are without electricity since morning as rain has caused damage to power infrastructure at certain places.
4.5 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE HITS J&K Further, an earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale struck J&K at 4.28 am on Monday. So far, there were no reports of loss of life or property damage.
1 KILLED IN REASI LANDSLIDE
One person was killed and another injured due to landslide in Reasi, as intermittent rain lashed plains and snow in the upper reaches of Jammu region.
Police said that around 11 AM, a youth on his way home, was injured as he got trapped in a landslide triggered by overnight rains at Hawsun, near Chassana village in Reasi district. The youth was identified as Mohd Ayub, a resident of Chassan. He later succumbed to his injuries.
KALPA COLDEST IN HIMACHAL AT 0°C SHIMLA : The higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh received a fresh spell of snowfall on Monday, leading to a fall in the minimum temperature in the state.
Kalpa in Kinnaur district is the coldest at 0°Celsius. Keylong, the headquarters of Lahaul-spiti district, recorded 2.7°Celsius on Monday.
Higher reaches on Kullu, Lahaul Spiti and Chamba district received fresh snowfall while rain lashed several other parts.
In Shimla, sky remained overcast and mild rainfall was witnessed in the afternoon.
THE SRINAGARJAMMU HIGHWAY WAS CLOSED ON MONDAY EVENING DUE TO RAINS
FARMERS SMILE
EAR TO EAR DHARAMSHALA:THE prevailing rain and snow conditions at the higher reaches in Kangra, Chamba region brought cheer to the farmers who were till now worried as the sowing was getting delayed due to the prolonged dry spell.
Farmers can now begin sowing of Rabi crops wheat, barley and mustard.
Pritam Singh, a farmer from Shahpur near Dharamshala town said sowing of wheat was delayed by almost a month and he feared considerable losses. “Now, as rains have started, there is still time to sow some late sown varieties and some loss can be covered,” he said.
TEMPERATURE ROUND-UP
Rains lashed Kangra and Chamba district on Monday, while the higher reaches — including Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal mountain ranges — received fresh a bout of snowfall on Monday. The maximum temperature in the region plummet several notches as cold wave swept down the hill state.
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