Whiteout disrupts normal life in upper reaches of J&K

Schools in Doda, major roads, highways remain closed; Weatherman predicts more rains, snow from Fri evening

Srinagar, Nov 14 (KNO): The educational institutions across Doda and the majority of roads remained closed today after several higher reaches, especially in north Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Monday, bringing down the temperature further here.

The famous ski-resort Gulmarg, tourist spot Sonamarg, Sadhna Top, Machil in Kupwara, Gurez, received fresh snowfall since last evening. Reports reaching the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the plains in Kupwara and Khansahib in central Kashmir’s Budgam district also experienced light snowfall today.

Sadhna Top has received 2 feet snowfall today while Machil in Kupwara received above 15 inches and Gurez one foot, reports said, adding that 8 inches snowfall was recorded at Gulmarg while two inches were recorded at Tangmarg.

Pir ki Gali also received light snowfall today leading to the closure of historic Mughal Road.

Srinagar among several plains of Kashmir received light rainfall from last evening, which led to the drop in the temperature further.

Moreover, the weatherman here has predicted light rain/snowfall from Friday evening, saying that a fresh but weak Western Disturbance will affect Jammu and Kashmir late November 18 evening.

“There is a possibility of light snowfall in higher reaches of J&K from late Friday evening as a weak WD will affect J&K again. The main activity will remain on Saturday-Sunday,” Independent Weather forecaster Faizan Arif told KNO.

He further added that from tomorrow, the minimum temperature is expected to drop further in the coming days.

Meanwhile, in wake of the inclement weather conditions, the authorities in Doda district ordered closure of all the educational institutions up to Class 8th today.

Moreover, the majority of roads including Srinagar-Leh highway, Gurez-Bandipora Road, Mughal Road were closed for the traffic by the authorities after fresh snowfall.

Officials said that the Srinagar-Jammu highway was also closed for vehicular movement today after the shooting stones blocked the highway in Ramban, adding that the highway was later thrown open following the road clearance.

The other highways and roads, however, continued to remain closed for the vehicular movement—(KNO)