Srinagar, 27-Dec: Higher reaches in Kashmir received fresh snowfall while rains lashed plains in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Monday. The snowfall has led to closure of Bandipora-Gurez as well as Srinagar-Leh roads besides Machil, Keran and Karnah.Mughal road, connecting Shopian with Poonch and Rajouri districts as well as Kishtwar-Sinthan road are closed.According to sources, 3 inches of fresh snowfall had accumulated this morning around Razdan top and other adjoining areas, leading to the closure of the Bandipora-Gurez highway.Reports of 2 inches snowfall was recorded in Kishtwar—Machial (2 inches), Ishtayari (3 inches) Marwah (3 inches) and Warwan (6 inches).Reports from Kupwara said that Machil recorded 5 inches, Z Gali (7 inches) Firkantop (6 inches) and Sadna top (7 inches) while it was still snowing.“As expected, light snow/rain occurred at many places in both J&K and Ladakh,” a meteorological department official said.Regarding forecast, he said, weather will remain generally cloudy in both J&K and Ladakh with chances of light snow at some places, mainly over higher reaches during the next 24 hours. “There’s no forecast of any major snowfall till ending December.”Currently Valley is in the harsh period of 40-day long Chillai Kalan. This is followed by another phase of 20 days which usually is considered to be less intense in terms of the cold, this phase is known as Chillai Khurd. Finally the last phase is of 10 days, which is even less harsh and is locally known as Chille Bache. (CNS)
