Fresh snowfall in Kashmir; air traffic at Srinagar Airport affected
What's the story
Srinagar and some other parts of Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Saturday, affecting flight operations at the airport, even as the minimum temperature dropped across the Valley. The fresh snowfall began early in the morning. The Valley had received snowfall for four consecutive days earlier this week, draping everything in white. The officials said Srinagar had recorded four inches of snow till 8:30 am.
Heavy snowfall
Snowfall observed all across the state
In South Kashmir, Kulgam recorded five inches of snow, Anantnag three, Shopian three and Pulwama four. Bandipora, in the north, received two inches of snow and central Kashmir's Budgam and Ganderbal districts recorded three inches each. There were no reports of snowfall at the ski-resort of Gulmarg and Pahalgam tourist resort in the south. Some other areas in the Valley received rainfall.
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No major bout of snowfall till January 14
The MeT office had forecast very light rains or snowfall at isolated places in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, even as it had said there was no forecast of any major snowfall and the weather was likely to stay mainly dry till January 14.
Transport
Air travel hit again; National Highway remains closed
Fresh snowfall affected the air traffic to and from the Kashmir Valley. Accumulation of snow on the runway hampered flight operations, delaying several flights. The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained closed for traffic for the seventh day on Saturday due to the accumulation of snow, landslides, and shooting stones. The officials said stranded traffic was allowed to pass on Friday with no fresh vehicle movement.
Temperature
Temperature falls down further in the state
The MeT office said the minimum temperature went down across the Valley. Srinagar city recorded a low of minus 4.0 degree Celsius, down from minus 0.4 degree Celsius the previous night. The minimum temperature in Gulmarg settled at minus 10.0 degree Celsius. Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 5.1 degree Celsius, down from minus 3.3 degree Celsius.