Srinagar, Jan 5 (UNI) The summer capital, Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley continued to receive intermittent moderate to heavy snowfall for the third successive day on Tuesday even as the maximum temperature remained several degrees below normal though night temperature improved due to overcast conditions.

Meanwhile, the valley remained cutoff from rest of the country for the third successive day as the air and road connectivity has been snapped in view of moderate to heavy snowfall since late Saturday night.

A Met department spokesperson told UNI light to moderate snow would occur during the next 24 hours in Kashmir valley under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD) which is active in the region. 'The WD, which originated from the Arabian Sea and approached the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan, hit the region on Saturday night,' he said, adding the weather is expected to improve from Friday onwards.

He said a weather warning has been issued for Tuesday, when heavy rain and snow could occur at many to some places in the valley.

After witnessing above normal night temperature due to overcast conditions, people woke up to a chilly and snowy Tuesday morning in Srinagar. Intermittent moderate to heavy snowfall continued for the third successive day in the city, where people had to rely on old means of heating, including Kangri, as electricity was snapped from many areas due to damage to power transmission lines.

Meanwhile, people alleged that the snow has been cleared till 1300 hrs even from main roads, including Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, Srinagar, making it difficult for the vehicles to move on slippery roads. Snow has also not been cleared from bylines and interior areas of the city, where the district administration has urged people to avoid using private vehicles and other non-essential transportation for the time being to facilitate unhindered snow-clearance operation. The mercury in the city settled at minus 0.8 degree Celsius, which is over a degree above normal.

Much to the delight of the tourists, Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, intermittent moderate to heavy snowfall continued for the third successive day on Tuesday. Kongdori and Apharwat, the highest point of the cable car project in Gulmarg, received heavy snowfall. The mercury at Gulmarg, which is known for its ski slopes and quality of snow, improved about a degree from Monday and settled at minus 4 degree, about 3 degree above normal. 'Despite chilly weather conditions and snowfall since Sunday, the tourists are out on ski slopes, which are already covered under several feet of snow, enjoying different activities,' a hotelier told UNI over the phone.

World famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, received about a foot of snowfall since Sunday, resulting in dip in the maximum temperature. The night temperature at the health resort improved about 6 degree from Monday and settled at minus 1.1 degree, which is over 5 degree above normal. The upper reaches in Pahalgam, including Chandanwari, received light to moderate snowfall. Amarnath cave shine and its periphery, besides Sheshnag, Mahagung, Pisso top and Panjtarni, also received moderate to heavy snowfall.

Tourist resort of Kokernag -- where the night temperature improved and settled at minus 1 degree -- received several inches of snowfall since Sunday.

The 270-km-long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the only all weather road linking Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, remained closed for traffic movement for the third day on Tuesday due to snowfall and rain since early Sunday. Both sides of the Jawahar tunnel, Shaitan Nallah and Banihal received several inches of fresh snowfall. Qazigund, gateway to the valley, also received fresh snowfall since Sunday. The mercury at Qazigund improved remained constant at minus 0.2 degree, which is about 3 degree above normal.

Dozens of far-flung and remote villages -- including border towns of Keran, Karnah and Tanghdar – remained cutoff for the second day on Tuesday due to slippery road conditions following fresh snowfall in north Kashmir.

An official said all the flights were cancelled for the third successive day at Srinagar International Airport due to poor visibility following intermittent heavy snowfall. “Flights will be allowed to operate from the only airport in the valley after clearance of snow and improvement in visibility,” he added.

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