Watch: Kashmir, Himachal turn into winter wonderlands after fresh snowfall; weather forecast
The hill states of India – Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh - received light to moderate snowfall on January 20. Parts of Kashmir witnessed moderate to heavy snowfall, leading to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.
The snowfall also impacted flight operations to and from the valley. Prominent tourist destinations such as Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Budgam, upper areas of Kupwara, Ganderbal, and Srinagar received a good amount of snowfall.
Panchari in Udhampur district donned a white gown after the fresh spell of snowfall. In the video, the hill village can be seen covered in a thick blanket of snow.
However, the snowfall also hampered traffic movement on both sides of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which connects Kashmir with the rest of the country.
Watch here.
#WATCH | Snow blanket covers Panchari in Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir pic.twitter.com/BaBqMJnbvy
— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2023
On the other hand, higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh also received light to moderate snowfall. Some parts of the hill state also witnessed intermittent rains under the influence of Western Disturbance, leading to the closure of over 200 roads.
Jalori Jot and Rohtang Pass received 60 and 45 cm of snow, while Atal Tunnel and Chansel witnessed 30 cm of snowfall. Both Chaurdhar and Dodrakwar were covered in 25 cm of snow, Khadrala received 16 cm, and Jakho peak in Shimla and the adjoining areas of Kufri received three to 10 cm of snow.
Check Pics.
Kufri in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh receives fresh snowfall pic.twitter.com/UIr7U13CXE
— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2023
Prominent tourist destination Manali witnessed 165 mm of rainfall. Other parts such as Gohar, Nahan, and Bhuntar also received light to moderate showers. The Himachal meteorological office predicted rainfall in the region until January 26, with light rain and snow at isolated places on January 21 and 22. Snowfall could also be witnessed at many places in mid and high hills on January 23.
Himachal Pradesh | Mashobra area of Shimla under white snow cover after fresh snowfall pic.twitter.com/e7aVPJtcN8
— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2023
Tourists are advised to plan their visits to these hill states after checking the weather warnings.
First published: 20 January 2023, 15:14 IST