Zojila pass reopens after snowfall, traffic restored on Srinagar–Leh Highway
Srinagar, Jan 17 (KINS): Traffic movement on the strategic Zojila Pass along the Srinagar–Leh National Highway was restored on Saturday after remaining suspended for two days due to fresh snowfall in the region.
With an improvement in weather conditions, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) launched snow clearance operations early Saturday morning to reopen the vital mountain pass. Officials said heavy machinery was deployed to remove accumulated snow, measuring around 8 to 10 inches that fell on Friday.
The highway had been closed as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of commuters. Following successful clearance of the road, traffic resumed from the Kargil side.
Authorities have advised motorists to exercise caution while travelling through the stretch, given the prevailing winter conditions.
Meanwhile, according to a traffic police advisory, vehicular movement from the Sonamarg side towards Kargil will be permitted on Sunday after receiving clearance from the BRO.(KINS)
Cold wave intensifies in Kashmir
Srinagar, Jan 17 (KINS): Cold conditions tightened further across Kashmir on Saturday as minimum temperatures dipped at several places.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, a sharp fall from minus 1.5 degrees Celsius recorded the previous night. Shopian in south Kashmir emerged as the coldest place in the Valley, with the mercury plunging to minus 5.6 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam registered a minimum temperature of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, unchanged from the previous night, while Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district saw its minimum drop to minus 4.2 degrees Celsius from minus 2.3 degrees Celsius.
Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, which received moderate snowfall on Friday, recorded a low of minus 2.9 degrees Celsius. Qazigund, the gateway town to the Valley, recorded a minimum of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag and Kupwara registered lows of minus 2 degrees Celsius and minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, respectively, officials said.
The Kashmir Valley is currently witnessing ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, the harshest 40-day winter period marked by intense cold, frequent sub-zero night temperatures, and the highest likelihood of snowfall. The period, which began on December 21, will conclude on January 30, to be followed by ‘Chilla Khurd’ and ‘Chillai Bachha’.(KINS)
