Srinagar, Mar 25: Kashmir valley is under the grip of severe cold following fresh snowfall on the upper reaches including the world famous ski resort of Gulmarg.

However, the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway was open to vehicular traffic and all incoming and outgoing flights operated normally.

The upper reaches in the Kashmir valley experienced fresh snowfall during the past 24 hours, resulting in severe cold as the temperatures dropped considerably.

A report said about six inches of fresh snowfall was recorded at Gulmarg. It was very cloudy today, it said adding at Gulmarg recorded more than three feet of snow on the slopes.

About eight inches to one feet of fresh snowfall was also experienced at Upperwat and Khilanmarg, the report added.

The Zojila, on the 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway, also had fresh snowfall last evening. The highway has been closed for six winter months since November 17 last year. However, the Drass-Kargil-Leh highway was thrown open for traffic.

The holy Amarnath cave and other halting points enroute to the shrine from Pahalgam also experienced fresh snowfall.

UNI