The 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway was blocked due to landslides at several places in the Ramban area, following heavy rains since yesterday. It was snowing in the Jawahar Tunnel area as well, which, however, did not disrupt the movement of traffic.

Earlier, the authorities had announced suspension of the traffic on the highway between 6 am and 12 noon today to make necessary road repairs near Ramban, about 165 km from here. However, the repairs could not be made due to bad weather conditions. Later in the afternoon, the traffic on the highway was resumed.

The continued downpour and poor visibility also led to the suspension of air services to Srinagar. No flights could be operated on the Delhi-Srinagar-Jammu route and to Leh.

While upper reaches of the valley, including Gulmarg in the north and Pahalgam and Sonmarg areas in the south, witnessed heavy snowfall, a thick layer of snow was accumulated in plains. It was snowing heavily in the south Kashmir districts of Anantnag and Pulwama since morning, while areas around Srinagar and Budgam districts in central Kashmir witnessed over two hours of intermittent snowfall, which began around noon. Heavy rains were also reported from Baramula and Kupwara districts in north Kashmir with heavy snow in the mountains.

It was heavily snowing in mountain areas, including winter sports destination of Gulmarg, about 50 km north of here, and Pahalgam and Sonmarg areas in south Kashmir. Over 1 ft of snow was recorded earlier in the day at Gulmarg, and according to a government employee, it was for the first time in 15 years in the meadow of flowers that snowfall was witnessed during this season.

The Zojila pass, connecting the Kashmir valley with the frontier cold desert region of Ladakh, also accumulated heavy snow. The 432-km-long Srinagar-Leh highway remains closed to traffic during winter months due to heavy snow in the Zojila axis and the traffic on this stretch is operational between May and October every year.

Today’s snowfall followed bad weather conditions and intermittent rains over the past few days. Farmers and fruit growers have been anxious over the bad weather conditions as it would hamper the growth of paddy seedling, being sown this month. Freezing cold conditions may also damage the fruit production, which is in its early stage of development after blossoming.

It led to water logging in most parts of the city, creating hurdles on roads and making it difficult for the pedestrians and drivers. Many schools have decided to remain closed tomorrow due to accumulation of water on the school premises and roads.

SHIMLA: Wintry conditions were revived in the region as heavy unseasonal snow and hailstorms lashed the state for the third consecutive day today.

The tribal Lahaul and Spiti shivered in sub-zero temperature as snowfall continued. While the 14,500-ft Rohtang was under 70 cm of snow, the Lahaul valley recorded 40 to 50 cm of snow. The Marhi area uphill Manali also had about 50 cm of snow.

HAMIRPUR: Heavy rains accompanied by icy winds lashed various parts of Hamirpur district today as a result of which temperatures fell sharply.

Reports from interiors of the district said widespread damage was caused to trees due to high-velocity winds. Uprooted trees blocked roads and disrupted the traffic.

CHANDIGARH: According to a UNI report, repeated spells of unusual snow at this time of the year made electoral officials in Himachal Pradesh keep their fingers crossed whether the weather would permit to send election material in the Lahaul-Spiti area for the Lok Sabha elections in the final phase on May 10.

Chandigarh and adjoining areas in Haryana and Punjab were experiencing spells of squall of 74-km velocity, accompanied by sharp showers since yesterday. Some sectors were lashed by hailstorms also.

AMRITSAR: The border town of Patti and its adjoining areas experienced widespread hailstorm on Friday. The high-velocity winds also caused immense damage to the harvested wheat crop.