Snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir comes as respite to residents after several months of dry spell
The Kashmir valley was cut off from the rest of the country today as flight operations at the Srinagar airport were suspended and the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and Mughal road were closed for traffic due to snowfall and rain.
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Winter signalled its arrival in Kashmir in November itself when upper reaches received snow. However, plains received its first snowfall on Monday night. Firstpost/Sameer Mushtaq
After a months-long dry spell, people were craving for rainfall or snow. The snowfall came as respite for many in the Valley on Monday as there were water crisis in many parts of Kashmir. Firstpost/Sameer Mushtaq
The snowfall is usually a boon for the people associated with the tourism industry as tourists from outside the Valley start making their way to Kashmir. Tourism is a key sector for Jammu and Kashmir’s economy. Firstpost/Sameer Mushtaq
Most of the people associated with the tourism industry awaited snowfall to get the tourists back to the Valley as a fragile security situation since one year kept them away. Firstpost/Sameer Mushtaq
The Valley has its unique culture associated with the winter season. People use Kangris (fire pots) to warm themselves. Firstpost/Sameer Mushtaq
Harisa and Kehwa are served in this season in most households in the Kashmir Valley. Firstpost/Sameer Mushtaq
It is this season when schools and colleges are closed down, and children enjoy the snow by indulging themselves in snow fighting or making snowmen. Firstpost/Sameer Mushtaq
Due to Monday’s snowfall, the Srinagar-Jammu highway has been closed for vehicular movement. The highway is the only surface link between the Valley and rest of India. Firstpost/Sameer Mushtaq
The present weather conditions in Jammu and Kashmir are likely to continue till Thursday due to a western disturbance over the state, the IMD said. Firstpost/Sameer Mushtaq
In Jammu, the Mughal road, connecting Poonch and Rajouri with south Kashmir's Shopian district, was also closed after heavy snowfall in Pir Ki Gali. Firstpost/Sameer Mushtaq
In the state's summer capital, flight services to and fro from the Srinagar International Airport were hit due to poor visibility caused by the heavy snowfall, airport authorities said. Firstpost/Sameer Mushtaq
In Gulmarg, the coldest region in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 6.5 degrees Celsius, the spell of snowfall brightened prospects for winter sports as nearly four feet of snow accumulated at the ski resort. Firstpost/Sameer Mushtaq
Srinagar, which is experiencing intermittent rains since Tuesday morning, received snowfall till 10 am, while heavy snowfall was recorded in Sonamarg and Baltal, base camps of the annual Amarnath Yatra in central Kashmir. Firstpost/Sameer Mushtaq
The 300-kilometre long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was closed following heavy rains and snowfall at several places, including the Jawahar Tunnel, and incidents of shooting stones near Panthal. Firstpost/Sameer Mushtaq