By IANS,
Srinagar : As autumn comes to a close, the harsh four-month-long winter already seems to be knocking at Kashmir’s door with snowfall in higher reaches bringing down the temperature in the plains Saturday.
Many people could be spotted in woollens and traditional tweed over-garments known as ‘Phirans’ to brave the cold.
“A western disturbance is presently active over the state. We are expecting rains in the plains and light to moderate snowfall in the higher reaches during the next two days,” Sonam Lotus, director of the local weather office, told IANS.
“It is advisable that people intending to undertake a journey on the Srinagar-Leh Highway must travel with caution as light to moderate snowfall, expected tonight (Saturday), can block the highway.
“The present weather conditions are expected to continue till Sunday after which there would be improvement,” Lotus added.
The Srinagar-Leh Highway is 434-km long.
“The minimum temperature was 5.2 degrees Celsius in Srinagar Saturday while it fell to minus 0.5 in north Kashmir’s Gulmarg ski resort,” said another official at the weather office.
“The minimum temperature was three degrees Celsius in Qazigund and 1.4 in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam hill station,” he added.