Connectivity disrupted after snow engulfs hills

Normal life and connectivity were disrupted in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, after a fresh spell of snow in the two regions disrupted power and water supplies, and led to closure of roads and cancellation of several flights.

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While authorities in J&K issued avalanche warnings in eight districts and urged the residents to avoid unnecessary movement for the next 24 hours in Himachal Pradesh, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) office in Shimla predicted snowfall and light to moderate rainfall, with possibility of thunder, during the same period.

In J&K, light snowfall of three to six inches was recorded in the plains and mountains of the Himalayan Kashmir Valley, snowfall of eight to 12 inches was registered in the middle and higher reaches of Kashmir division.

The night temperature plunged to -7.0 degree Celsius in the ski resort of Gulmarg while the mercury settled at -1. 6 degree Celsius during the day. The summer capital of Srinagar was relatively better at -0.7 degree Celsius during the night while the day temperature settled at 3 degree Celsius, some 5.9 notches below normal.

"There was light to moderate rain with thunder over the plains of Jammu division and light to moderate snow over the middle and higher reaches," Srinagar MeT Centre's director, Mukhtar Ahmad, said.