Kashmir receives fresh snowfall, avalanche warning issued

Kashmir Valley received a fresh spell of snowfall forcing closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway even as authorities issued a medium danger avalanche warning in many parts of the Valley, including in upper reaches of Gulmarg skiing resort.

Fresh overnight snowfall around Jawahar tunnel and landslides at Digdole and Panthal, 134 kms from here, have resulted in closure of the 294-km-long highway, an official of the traffic control room said.

Continuous rains and snowfall was hampering road clearance operations, he said.

Summer capital Srinagar also witnessed a spell of moderate snowfall since last night resulting in inundated roads and traffic snarls.

Earlier, authorities issued a medium danger avalanche warning in many parts of the Valley.

"On the basis of inputs received from the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), medium danger avalanche warning exists in snowbound areas above 2500 metre altitude," a senior official said.

He said the areas where possibility of avalanche has increased, following fresh snowfall, include Anantnag, Banihal, Kishtwar, Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, Gulmarg, Naugam, Baramula, Uri, Kupwara, Tangdhar, Keran, Machhil, Bandipur, Gurez, Drass and Kargil.

"People living in these areas are advised not to venture in steep avalanche prone slopes till 8 PM today," the official added.

He also advised the people to keep clearing the snow from roof tops of their houses to avoid any causality due to roof collapse.

The official said fresh snowfall was experienced in several areas of north Kashmir.

"At Gulmarg, at least one foot of fresh snowfall has accumulated, while in Gurez it has crossed the 14 inch mark.

Snowfall is going on at Kulan (4 inches), Sonamarg (6 inches) and Tangmarg (4 inches)," he said.