Jammu and Kashmir has heavy snowfall, highway closed

Jammu and Kashmir received heavy rain and snowfall on Sunday, forcing closure of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. The Met office has forecast more rain and snowfall in the state till Monday.

"Moderate to heavy rain and snowfall would occur at most places in Jammu and Kashmir and at a few places in Ladakh region," a Meteorological Department official said.

On Saturday, one-way traffic was restored on the over 300-km long national highway after it remained closed for five consecutive days due to heavy snowfall.

"The heavy downpour since yesterday (Saturday) evening has triggered landslides in Ramban area and other places. The road (highway) has been closed for all vehicular traffic until it is cleared," authorities told IANS here.

The closure of the highway, connecting Kashmir Valley with Jammu region, has led to shortage of essential commodities in many areas.

The minimum temperature in Srinagar was recorded at 1.7 degrees Celsius with 9.9 mm of rainfall till Sunday morning.

Batote town in Jammu region recorded the highest of 34 mm of rainfall.

"Gulmarg received six inches of snow till 8 a.m., Pahalgam 10 cm, Kupwara 2.5 cm and Batote 2 cm on Sunday," the official said.

There will be decrease in precipitation from March 9, he added.

The minimum temperature in Kargil town of Ladakh region was recorded at 8.4 degrees Celsius below the freezing point, and in Leh town it was minus 3.2 degrees Celsius.

There is a forecast of thunderstorm accompanied by light to moderate rainfall in Jammu city, where the minimum temperature was 10.8 degrees Celsius.