This is the first good spell of snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir during the season so far. Prior to this spell, heavy snow was confined to higher reaches only while, the middle and lower reaches received minimal snowfall. In fact Doda and Poonch received the first spell of snowfall on Tuesday.
In a span of 24 hours from 8.30 am on Tuesday, Banihal received 39 mm of precipitation, Batote 36.4 mm, Bhaderwah 34.2 mm, Gulmarg 17.2 mm, Katra 38.2 mm, Kukarnag 13.4 mm, Pahalgam 27.6 mm and Qazigund 14.6 mm of rain and snow.
In Himachal Pradesh, Dharamsala received 27.4 mm of precipitation, Kalpa 12 mm, Keylong 16 mm, Kullu 7.4 mm and Manali 14 mm.
The state administration has forbidden vehicular traffic on the arterial Jammu-Srinagar national highway. Thus, scores of vehicles are still stranded on the roadside. Heavy snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir has gravely hit electricity, water supply and blocked national highway, disrupting normal life. The Western Disturbance has now moved away but the threat of avalanche and snow storm remains high as the snow is still quite soft.
In view of the system, minimum temperatures in the state had increased while maximum temperatures dropped significantly. However, the night temperatures will drop now and cold wave like conditions will prevail in the region.