Snowfall in higher reaches of Kashmir

The high-altitude areas of Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall, while the plains including Srinagar were lashed by incessant rains for the third day today, resulting in a marked drop in the mercury.

The upper reaches, including the famous ski resort of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and 3880-metre-high holy cave shrine of Armarnath witnessed a fresh spell of snowfall on Monday morning, officials said.

They said though the snowfall was mild, it was preceded by heavy rains which also lashed plain areas for the third day on Monday, resulting in a sharp increase in the water level of major rivers, rivulets, lakes and other water bodies.

However, the water level monitored in river Jhelum at up and down stream was still several feet below the danger mark and there was no immediate threat of floods, the officials said.

They said the water level in river Jhelum at Sangam in south Kashmir was 14.25 feet – 7 feet below the danger mark –, while it was recorded at 12.5 feet – 4.5 feet below the danger mark – at Ram Munshi Bagh here.

Many roads in Srinagar, which recorded 38.7 mm?rainfall during the past 24 hours till 8.30 am on Monday, were waterlogged prompting the government to press its men and machines for the dewatering operation.