PHOTOS: Srinagar receives season's first snowfall

Kashmir valley received the season’s first snowfall bringing an end the protracted dry spell. The valley residents woke to a white blanket of overnight snow.

With inputs from PTI

...

The snowfall that began Saturday evening was heavy in the upper reaches of the valley and mild in the plains. The snowfall in capital Srinagar continued for couple of hours bringing relief from the dry cold and the accompanying health problems.

The local MET office had forecast snow and rains in the valley. The MET office said it was still snowing in the south Kashmir health resort of Pahalgam and at Qazigund on the Srinagar Jammu national highway.

...

The authorities had closed the highway for two way traffic because of the slippery road conditions near the Jawahar Tunnel.

A senior police officer said efforts were afoot to clear all the stranded vehicles on the highway.

...

Pahalgam where winter tourism is picking up also received the season’s first snowfall Valley had been in the grip of one of the longest dry spells which had led to various ailments and the snowfall though mild has brought the spell to a welcome end. 

...

The snowfall has been heavy in the upper reaches. Gulmarg, the famous ski resort in north Kashmir received the seasons second fall. The resort is reported to have received six inches of snow bringing cheer to the locals as well the visiting tourists.

...

Due to snowfall at Jawahir Tunnel and Patnitop, the highway was closed during the night, an officer of police control room said.

...

Some vehicles were stranded at different places along the highway, he said, adding that Border Roads Organisation was working to clear the highway, the police officer said.

...

Reports from Bhaderwah, Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Doda and Kishtwar districts said that fresh snowfall was recorded in upper reaches of these places and light showers in Jammu and plains on Saturday night.