Srinagar, Feb 28 (UNI) Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, experienced heavy snowfall while Pahalgam and other upper reaches in the Kashmir valley received light snow.

Deputy Director Indian Meteorological Centre (IMC), Srinagar, T K Jotshi told UNI that Western Disturbances from North Pakistan are active over the region which could cause heavy rains or snow at most places during the next 24 hours.

There could be isolated heavy rains or snow in the state during the next 48 hours, he said.

Mr Jotshi said the upper reaches in the Kashmir valley experienced fresh snowfall while the plains received rainfall. The world famous tourist spot of Pahalgam, the base camp for Amarnath pilgrimage, also received light snowfall today.

The maximum temperature today was recorded at nine degrees Celsius at 1430 hours against the normal temperature of ten degrees, he said.

The holy Amarnath cave along with its periphery recorded fresh snowfall during the past 24 hours.

The Sadhna top in north Kashmir was also closed due to about three feet of snowfall. Efforts are on to clear the road, official sources said.

A report from Kargil said that Drass recorded one feet of fresh snowfall since last evening. It was still snowing, it said.

Kargil received about four inches, Sankoo six inches and Panikher eight inches of fresh snowfall since last night.

Zojila and Gumri on the 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh National Highway also experienced fresh snowfall. The highway has been closed for six winter months since November 15 last year following landslides and snowfall.

UNI