Travel News, March, 2007

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Jammu-Kashmir experiences fresh snowfall

          Srinagar /New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir today experienced a fresh spell of snowfall and rain, bringing down the temperatures. The unseasonal snowfall has been due to a western disturbance. Schools and other educational institutes in valley, which had recently re-opened after three months winter break, are facing hardships today. Most of the schools have been closed down after half day. Locals and tourists, however, welcomed the snowfall despite freezing temperatures."Snow is an important part of our lives as it gives us electricity, drinking water. This year though it came only in the last phase of winter and it was not even too much," said Javaid Ahmad, a resident. Suneeta, a tourist, who is here for the first time, described it as a lovely sight. "We are having a great time here. I have never come here before and I am enjoying it so much. I am so happy that God has been so kind and that it is snowing," she said. According to Meteorological Department, the conditions to continue from next 24 hr and attribute the sudden drop in the temperature to western disturbances. Gulmarg and Tangmarg in the valley also recorded fresh snowfall since yesterday, much to the delight of skiers and tourists. The cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir also received fresh snowfall as did Gurez, Sadna Pass , Z-Gali and other high-altitude areas along the Line of Control. Several districts in Jammu also remained covered in a blanket of snow. Traffic movement on the 300-km long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only road link between the Kashmir Valley and rest of the country, remained closed for the second day today disrupting vehicular traffic and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at several places. The highway, which was closed yesterday after heavy rains, triggered landslides at Panthal the spot that has been a cause of road blockade earlier also. According to official sources, more than 400 vehicles carrying over 1,000 passengers were stranded on the highway due to its closure. The 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh highway, which has been closed since November 15 last year, too experienced fresh snowfall.

          New Delhi too was hit by unseasonal showers, which brought smiles on the faces of the general public. "This is a welcome change, keeping the hot weather prevailing in the past few days in mind. The rains have made the weather unpredictable," said Suman, a journalist. The freak showers brought temperatures down to 15.6 degrees Celsius. Morning commuters, however, were inconvenienced. "The unpredictability of the weather has caused hindrances to office-going people and for students taking their board exams," said Anika, a working woman. Air and rail traffic, however, was not affected. According to weatherman, the rains are the result of an extra- tropical system formed over West Rajasthan which is moving eastward. Two extra-tropical systems had formed over the north- western and eastern regions, which led to the rains in most parts of northern India . Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal are likely to be hit by rain this week. According to reports, the capital had received 11.1 mm of rainfall till 8.30 am.
-March 12,  2007