Heavy snowfall to disrupt air, surface traffic in J&K

 The local Met office on Wednesday issued an adverse weather advisory forecasting heavy to very heavy snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir that is likely to disrupt surface and air traffic during the next three days.

A weather advisory issued by the local Met department has forecast heavy to very heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir with heavy rainfall in the plains during the next three days.

"Due to the adverse weather conditions during the next two to three days, air and surface traffic is likely to be disrupted during this period. Surface transport between the Kashmir valley and the Ladakh region is likely to be disrupted because of heavy snowfall at the Zojila Pass.

"Traffic between the valley and the Jammu region is also likely to be affected especially through the Mughal Road," an official of the Met department told IANS.

Following the weather advisory, a high-level meeting was held by the provincial administration to alert all disaster management machinery at the district level across the valley.

"The administration is ready to deal with any adverse weather condition and all concerned officials have been alerted at the provincial and the district levels," a senior officer of the provincial administration said.

Heavy snowfall has already started in Sonamarg and at the ski resort of Gulmarg since Wednesday morning while heavy rains lashed the valley during the previous night.

Locals have already taken out their winter clothing as most Kashmiris wore the traditional 'Pheren' (tweed over garment) in the valley.

With the electric supply remaining as erratic as ever, the earthen fire-pot oven in a basket of willow wicker called the 'Kangri' continues to be the best bet for Kashmiris to keep their body and soul together during the valley's harsh winter months.

Little surprise that Kangris are selling like hot cakes in Srinagar and else where in the valley these days.IANS