By IANS,
Srinagar : Fresh snowfall across the Kashmir Valley Sunday closed the strategic Srinagar-Jammu national highway as the minimum temperature rose above the freezing point after two months in summer capital Srinagar.
The 40-day long harshest period of winter, “Chilla Kalan” also ended Sunday.
“Due to fresh snowfall and slippery road conditions in Patnitop and Bannihal areas of the highway, the Srinagar-Jammu road has been closed this morning (Sunday),” a senior traffic department official said here.
He also said that no passenger vehicle was stranded anywhere on the road.
Two domestic tourists, caught in heavy snowfall in the north Kashmir Gulmarg ski resort, were rescued by army troopers, police said.
The weather office forecast rain and snow at many places in the Valley until Monday.
Summer capital Srinagar recorded a low of one degree Celsius.
“After nearly two months, the minimum temperature rose above the freezing point in the Valley Sunday.
“Winter capital Jammu had a minimum of 10.4 degrees, Pahalgam minus 1.0, Gulmarg minus 6.0, Leh minus 10.0 and Kargil minus 8.8 degrees Celsius,” the weatherman said.
Srinagar recorded 0.8 mm of rainfall while 2.5 cm of snowfall was recorded in Qazigund town of south Kashmir Anantnag district till 6 a.m.