Jammu: Heavy rain and subsequent snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday brought much-needed relief from the dry weather.
The weather conditions caused disruptions on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, where snow accumulation near the Navyug tunnel blocked traffic. Commuters faced difficulties due to shooting stones, even when vehicles were allowed to ply.
Traffic resumed Friday morning, with light motor vehicles able to pass through from both sides. Nevertheless, several key roads, including the SSG Road, Bhaderwah-Chamba Road, Mughal Road, and Sinthan Road, remain closed.
After weeks of the dry weather rain started in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday morning and the intensity kept increasing. By the evening most parts of south Kashmir and upper reaches of Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts witnessed snowfall. On Friday morning, the snowfall continued in Gulmarg and other high-altitude areas of Kashmir Valley. The weather then gradually improved later.
The Indian meteorological department has predicted dry weather till February 24. Another spell of rain and snow is expected from February 25 onwards.
The amount of rainfall recorded till this morning is as follows. Srinagar recorded 11.4 mm, Qazigund 14.2 mm, Pahalgam 14.6 mm, Kupwara 9.6 mm, Kokernag 27.2 mm (2 cm snow), Gulmarg 7.8 mm (7.0 cm snow), Pampore 11.0 mm, Srinagar Airport 6.7 mm, Awantipora 6.0 mm, Anantnag 12.0 mm, Pulwama 5.0 mm, Tral 13.0 mm, Ganderbal 9.0 mm, Sangam 10.5 mm, Budgam 7.0 mm, Baramulla 12.0 mm, Bandipora 6.0 mm, Shopian 10.5 mm, Kulgam 5.5 mm, Khudwani 11.0 mm, Babapora 6.0 mm, Charar-i-Sharief 3.6 mm, Tangmarg 14.2 mm, Sopore 8.0 mm, Lolab 12.4 mm, Bumhama Kupwara 12.0 mm, Nowgam and Handwara 16.4 mm.
In Jammu region, Jammu recorded 27.4 mm, Banihal 38.9 mm (15 cm snow), Batote 48.1 mm (1 cm snow), Katra 27.7 mm, Bhaderwah 41.0 mm (9 cm snow), Kathua 34.2 mm, Jammu Airport 19.6 mm, Udhampur 34.6 mm, Ramban 35.5 mm, Poonch 23.0 mm, Kishtwar 16.0 mm, Rajouri 20.0 mm, Reasi 21.0 mm, Samba 20.5 mm, Chatha 23.0 mm, Bakore 35.5 mm, RS Pura 28.0 mm and Burmal 24.0 mm.
