Kashmir receives a fresh spell of snowfall [In Gallery]

Parts of Kashmir received a fresh spell of snowfall on Saturday. Northern parts received more snow than the southern and central parts of the valley.

Minimum temperatures improved across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Saturday as snow occurred in the valley and rain lashed the plains of Jammu division. Most people in the valley preferred to remain indoors in the morning due to the snow and slippery road conditions.

Air transport has been suspended, as the runway at the airport has accumulated snow.

Tankers, vehicles transporting perishable goods, and some commercial vehicles were allowed to ply from Jammu to Srinagar. Many passenger vehicles, however, were stopped at Jammu.

Jammu city recorded 10.3, Katra 9.3, Batote 4.0, Bannihal 1.2 and Bhaderwah 2.1 degrees Celsius. Leh in Ladakh was at minus 10.1, Kargil minus 17.6 and Drass minus 5.6. Srinagar recorded minus 2 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam minus 1.3 and Gulmarg minus 4.8 as the minimum temperature of the day.

Minimum temperatures rose appreciably due to thick cloud cover bringing in some measure of relief. The 40-day long period of harsh winter cold the 'Chillai Kalan' will end on January 31, reports IANS

The weather office has forecast more snow in Kashmir and hills of Jammu with rain in the Jammu plains. Weather is likely to improve from tomorrow onwards.

Earlier, on Friday, The MeT said that light to moderate snowfall was expected in the plains of Kashmir valley and rains in Jammu till the afternoon of January 24.

(with inputs from IANS)