Good news, Traffic resumes on Srinagar-Jammu highway

Srinagar, Jan 2: The New Year commenced on a bright note in Jammu and Kashmir with a thick blanket of snow covering most parts of Kashmir Valley evoking hopes of a better crop, though traffic was disrupted in some areas, including the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. But resumed this morning even as high altitude areas surrounding the valley received a fresh spell of snow.

However, only passenger buses are being allowed to move on the arterial road. While high altitude areas surrounding the valley received fresh spell of snowfall, plains were lashed by intermittent rains for the second successive day today.

People woke up early in Srinagar and other parts of the valley to enjoy the heavy snowfall. However, traffic was disrupted in some areas and the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the only road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was closed.

The heavy snowfall brought smiles on the faces of farmers who are hoping for adequate water for their crops this year. In Srinagar, which recorded 45.4mm of snow, the minimum temperature dipped to zero degree Celsius, the Met office said.

The famous ski resorts of Gulmarg in Baramulla district and Pahalgam in Anantnag district also received heavy snowfall. More than two inches of snow was registered in Gulmarg while Pahalgam recorded 37.6mm of snow till Saturday morning. Some of the world’s best ski slopes are located in Gulmarg.

Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded 43.0mm of snow and rain while Jammu recorded 36.3mm of rain.