Heavy Snowfall Blankets Jammu and Kashmirs High Altitudes, Disrupts Mountain Passes

Srinagar, November 13 (Daily Kiran) : Jammu and Kashmir has been hit by significant snowfall over the past 24 hours, particularly in its high-altitude areas. The popular ski resort of Gulmarg and the tourist destination of Sonamarg are now covered in a thick white blanket of snow, much to the delight of visitors. However, the recent snowfall has also led to the closure of several mountain passes.

Due to the heavy snow, key mountain passes leading out of the valley have been shut down. The Srinagar-Leh Highway, the Mughal Road at Pir Ki Gali, and the Sinthan Pass heading towards Kishtwar district are all blocked. Additionally, the Razdan Pass leading to the border town of Gurez, as well as the Sadhna Top towards Tangdhar and Karnah, have become inaccessible due to the snow.

In the last 24 hours, Sadhna Top and Razdan Top received over a foot of snow, while Sinthan Top saw 8 to 10 inches. Other areas reported varying amounts, with Z-Gali and Margan Top receiving 6 to 8 inches, Pir Ki Gali 5 to 8 inches, and the Zoji La Pass 5 to 6 inches. The Balatal-Pahalgam area experienced 4 to 6 inches, Gurez Valley 3 to 5 inches, and Sonamarg 2 to 3 inches. In contrast, Gulmarg recorded just 1 centimeter of snow.

Alongside the snowfall, the valley has also experienced heavy rainfall in the past day. The weather department forecasts that poor weather conditions will persist until this afternoon, predicting a significant drop in temperatures ranging from 6 to 8 degrees Celsius. This combination of rain and snow is expected to increase water levels in the valley’s springs, wells, lakes, and other water sources.

Farmers have been advised to secure their harvested crops due to the risk of further snowfall in high-altitude areas, which may disrupt traffic on mountain roads and passes. Travelers, transporters, and tourists are urged to heed the weather advisories issued by the state traffic department.