Srinagar, Jan 5 (UNI) The summer capital, Srinagar, and other parts of Kashmir valley were covered under a white carpet on Saturday following heavy to very heavy snowfall during the past 24 hours.
Life remained affected in Srinagar, where majority shops and business establishments remained closed and very few vehicles was plying on the roads. The authorities have put into service machine to clear the snow on the roads.
However, the Sun appeared briefly this afternoon though roof and tree tops besides open fields and electric poles remained under snow, which has now started melting.
Meanwhile, the Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) has warned that shoveling snow increases the risk of heart attack.
A Met department spokesperson told UNI on Saturday afternoon that light rain or snow could occur in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours. However, there would be decrease in precipitation during subsequent two days.
Rooftops, trees, roads and open fields have turned white as Srinagar received first snowfall during the ongoing 40-day-long 'Chillai Kalan', the harshest period of the winter which commenced from December 21 last year. People, particularly children, who are enjoying winter vacation, were seen throwing snowballs at each other and making snowman and animals.
Tourists and locals could be seen taking photograph in Dal Lake area and civil lines since this morning when it was still snowing.
After witnessing about seven notches below normal during the day on Friday, the minimum temperature in Srinagar was minus 1.3 degree, still a notch above normal.
The Met spokesman said there could be light rain or snow and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 7 degrees and minus one degree respectively in Srinagar during the next 24 hours.
World famous ski resort of Gulmarg, 55 km from here in north Kashmir, received fresh snowfall since Friday, much to the delight of skiers and tourists, a hotel owner told UNI over phone. He said about three feet of snow has accumulated on the ski slopes, waiting for skiers across the globe. Khilanmarg and Apharwat, the highest point of the cable car project in Gulmarg, also received heavy to very heavy snowfall since Friday morning.
Gulmarg at minus 7.3 degree was the coldest place in the valley though it was about seven notches up against yesterday when it was minus 10 degree. The maximum temperature there was minus 4 degree.