The Hindu : Heavy snowfall in J&K, Himachal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 23, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Heavy snowfall in J&K, Himachal

NEW DELHI, JAN. 22. Renewed spells of snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, and widespread rains in the past 24 hours intensified cold wave conditions in the Northern region.

Widespread rains, right from Jammu region to the plains of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi in the past 24 hours have brightened the prospects of rabi crops, fruits and vegetables.

The rail and air services in the northwest region operated on schedule although some long distance trains were delayed by half an hour to three hours, Northern Railway sources said.

Fresh snowfall was reported in the entire Pir Panjal range of mountains in J and K and Himachal Pradesh (80 to 90 cm), Banihal top (96 cm), world famous skiing resort of Gulmarg (31 cm), Dawar (20 cm) in J and K, Dhundi (22 cm), Solang 48 cm) and Patsio (13 cm). Far flung glaciers in the two States too reported heavy snowfall and mercury stayed 10 to 15 degree Celsius below freezing point.

While higher reaches of Uttaranchal had light to moderate snow, the Gangotri area reported heavy rains in the past 24 hours.

Shimla, however, remained snowless though it reported the minimum at 2.2 following 17 mm of rain and sleet in the past 24 hours. Kufri and Narkanda tourists recorded fresh snowfall of 10 to 15 cm.

Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul Spiti, and district headquarters town Keylong, Kinnaruy and Chamba district, adjoining Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, received snowfall in the past 24 hours.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas received 18.7 mm rains in the past 24 hours. Panchkula and Kalka town in Haryana reported 7 mm and 7.3 mm rainfall till this morning. Ambala recorded 6.5 mm, Hisar (9.8 mm) and Karnal (24.3 mm).

Amritsar district remained coldest in plains as the minimum dipped to 6.3 C following 18.6 mm rainfall. Ludhiana reported 13.7 mm, Patiala (10.9 mm), Nangal Dam(25.4 mm) and Shahpur Kandi (44.2 mm)

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