Season’s first snowfall in Srinagar, Shimla

After two months of dry winter, Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and Hiamchal’s Shimla received season’s first snowfall on Thursday. Snowfall was also recorded at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Trikuta hills of Reasi in Jammu, and Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Budgam, Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian districts in Kashmir division. Rains lashed parts of the Jammu division. Officials said that pilgrimage at the Vaishno Devi Shrine was unaffected and continued smoothly.

In Himachal, snow was recorded in Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti district, Manali, Kalpa in Kinnaur, Bharmaur in Chamba and Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti.

Reports said that snow and rains also lashed upper reaches of Jammu region in Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Doda, Ramban, Udhampur, Reasi and Kathua districts plummeting the temperature by few notches.

The Jammu-Srinagar national highway (NH 44), the only all-weather link that connects Kashmir Valley with the outside areas, was blocked due to landslides and shooting stones triggered by overnight rains, in Ramban district, officials said.

“Around 1,100 vehicles have been left stranded at various places between Banihal and Udhampur,” said senior superintendent of police (SSP traffic, national highway) Rohit Baskotra.

“Around 30-metre road stretch has been damaged at Sher Bibi in Ramban district. While National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed men and machinery, traffic police and Ramban police are assisting them,” the SSP said, adding that the inclement weather was hampering the restoration work. The highway was also blocked due to shooting stones at T2 as there was heavy rainfall and snowfall between Ramsoo and Banihal.

In Himachal, traffic disruptions were reported at around 537 roads, including 14 main and lateral roads in Mandi district, 13 in Shimla, eight in Chamba and 139 in Lahaul and Spiti district. Three national highways passing through Kullu district, including NH 3 connecting Manali to Atal Tunnel and NH 305 connecting Manali to Leh, were closed due to heavy snowfall. National highway 5 was closed in Kinnaur along with 29 link roads.

The residents in capital Srinagar woke up to witness a thin layer of white enveloping the fields, tree tops and water bodies and brought cheer to the people. However, as the day progressed and there was sunshine, the snow melted away.

Locals, tourists rejoice

“It was our first snowfall this season and that too after the harsh phase of winter, Chila-i-Kalan, is over. It won’t be enough to satisfy the region’s agricultural and water needs. We pray for more snowfall so that we don’t face any issues in the coming days,” said Mohammad Amin, a resident of the Dal Lake in Srinagar.

While many higher reaches of Kashmir have been witnessing snowfall in the past three days, widespread precipitation on Thursday brought first snowfall in many parts of Kashmir and Jammu regions, which have been mostly dry since the beginning of December.

The meteorological centre in Srinagar said that Jammu and Kashmir received light to moderate snowfall during the night. MeT director Mukhtar Ahmad said that there was 10 to 15 inches of snow over middle and higher reaches of Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Badgam, Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian districts in the 24 hours till 10 am in the morning.

“There was 6-8 inches of snow over lower reaches and plains of north, north-western and south Kashmir and plains of central Kashmir saw two to four inches snowfall,” the MeT said in an update.

Light to moderate rain with thunder over Jammu division coupled with light snow over few middle and higher reaches of the division was also recorded. As the day progressed, the wet weather conditions improved across the region. The snow accumulation has caused closure of Mughal Road and Srinagar-Ladakh (Sringar-Sonamarg-Gumri) road.

The MeT said that Friday will see generally dry weather with possibility of very light snow at isolated higher reaches. “On February 3 and 4, there is a possibility of light to moderate snow/ rain at many places of J&K,” Ahmad said.

The valley has received snowfall since Monday as the 40-day harshest winter period of Chila-i-Kalan in Kashmir ended. The Himalayan valley, known for its glaciers, snow covered mountain slopes, blue lakes and gushing rivers, witnessed a prolonged dry spell since the beginning of December.

A traffic official in Jammu division said that the traffic police have facilitated light motor vehicles with eateries at Chanderkote, Banihal, Batote, Kud and Udhampur on the highway for their convenience.

“We have advised the people not to travel on Jammu-Srinagar highway till we restore it completely,” he said

Helicopter service at Vaishno Devi Shrine suspended

Assistant chief executive officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Ajay Salan said the helicopter service was suspended in view of the persistent rain and snowfall.

The high-altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh experienced heavy to moderate snowfall, while the low-lying areas and mid-hills got rain. Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti district recorded 18.4 inches of snowfall, while the tourist destination of Manali experienced 15.1 inches of snowfall. Kalpa in Kinnaur district got nearly 1.5 inches of snow, while Bharmaur in Chamba and Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti also got snow.

Normal life was disrupted in Shimla as thunderstorm accompanied by hail lashed the state’s capital on Wednesday night, while it snowed heavily in upper Shimla, the Jakhu hills and the Ridge. Traffic movement on the 13-km Circular Road came to a standstill by noon, adding to the woes of office-goers and schoolchildren attending coaching classes ahead of the board exams.

Snow in Shimla and its surroundings brought cheers for the hospitality sector. “We are hopeful that snowfall will boost business,” said hotelier Mohinder Seth.

Tourist Amit Singh was elated. “This is a lifetime experience for me and my family. We visited Manali five days ago just to see snow but had to return dejected. Who knew we were in for a surprise in Shimla! It feels heavenly,” he said as he enjoyed the snowfall at Kufri near Shimla along with his son and wife. While Kufri got nearly one inch of snowfall, Narkanda experienced snowfall for the second consecutive day.

The fresh spell of snow and rain brought cheer to apple growers, too. “Snow is white manure for the orchards. It will expedite winter practices and help in checking diseases that had begun to spread in trees due to the prolonged arid climate,” said Harish Chauhan, the president of the Himachal Fruit Vegetable and Flower Growers Association.

The Shimla-based India Meteorological Department office issued an orange warning for light to moderate rain and snow in the state. “There will be light to moderate snowfall in most places in the districts of Kullu, Shimla, and Chamba, Kangra, Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti. There is possibility of moderate to heavy snowfall in the high-altitude regions of Kullu, Shimla, Kinnaur, Chamba, Lahaul and Spiti,” said local IMD director Surender Paul.

The IMD forecast thunderstorms in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Sirmaur, Mandi and Solan districts.