J&K upper reaches receive fresh snowfall, rains lash plains

Srinagar, Mar 15: Upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir received a fresh snowfall, while rains lashed the plains on Sunday leading to the closure of some key roads, officials said.
According to reports, snowfall was recorded in areas including Peer Ki Gali, Sinthan Top, Gulmarg, Doodhpathri, Gurez Valley, Sadhna Top, and along the Sonamarg–Zojila axis.
“Due to slippery roads, the Gurez–Bandipora road and the Mughal Road, which connects the Kashmir Valley with the Pir Panjal region, have been closed to vehicular traffic,” an official said.
Meanwhile, vehicular movement on the Srinagar–Kargil highway was suspended again on Sunday after fresh snowfall at Zojila Pass rendered the road unsafe for travel, he added.
Authorities had earlier allowed limited traffic movement from Sonamarg towards Kargil after the highway was temporarily reopened following a 6-day closure caused by heavy snowfall and accumulation of snow along the Zojila stretch.
Officials said snow clearance operations were carried out by the Border Roads Organisation after improvement in weather conditions to restore connectivity on the strategic route.
Following the clearance, traffic authorities permitted nearly 300 vehicles, including passenger vehicles and carriers transporting vegetables and other essential supplies, to move from Sonamarg towards Kargil on Sunday morning, they said.
However, fresh snowfall at the high-altitude pass soon made road conditions unsafe, forcing authorities to suspend vehicular movement again as a precautionary measure.
Officials said further decisions regarding the resumption of traffic would be taken after assessing the weather conditions and road safety along the Zojila axis.
Several places in the Kashmir division and a few areas in the Jammu division received rainfall during the day, a MeT official said.
Erratic weather conditions are expected to continue across the Union Territory until March 20, he added.
The MeT has forecast intermittent light to moderate rain and snowfall in higher reaches at many places until the forenoon of March 16. On March 17, the weather is likely to remain partly cloudy, with brief spells of light rain or snowfall at isolated higher-altitude locations.
From March 18 to 20, generally cloudy conditions are expected, with intermittent light to moderate rain or snowfall at many places, mainly during night and morning hours. The department has predicted generally dry weather from March 21 to 23, while skies are expected to remain generally cloudy with light rain or snowfall in higher reaches at scattered locations on March 24 and 25.
The MeT has advised travellers and transporters, particularly those moving through higher reaches and key mountain passes, to plan their journeys accordingly.
It also warned of thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph at a few places during March 15–16 and again between March 18 and 20.
Farmers have been advised to suspend farm operations from March 15 to 20 due to expected adverse weather conditions.
Officials said residents and commuters should exercise caution, particularly in high-altitude areas, and avoid unnecessary travel on slippery or snow-bound roads. (KNO)