Srinagar: Intermittent snowfall in the higher reaches of Kashmir and light rains on the plains, including in Srinagar, resulted in considerable drop in the mercury across the state.
Ski resort Gulmarg received about 10 inches of fresh snow this afternoon, the MeT department said.
Heavy snowfall blocked Tangdhar-Nasta Chhun road in Kupwara district of north Kashmir, leaving over 70 passengers stranded on the route. They were later rescued by army personnel.
Reports of moderate snowfall were also received from other high altitude areas, including Amarnath cave shrine and 'Peer Ki Gali' in south, Sonamarg and Zojilla pass in central, Z-Gali and adjoining areas in north Kashmir, the officials said.
The maximum temperature in Srinagar settled at 10.8 degrees Celsius, a drop of almost 10 degrees since yesterday.
The night temperature also dropped to 4.4 degrees Celsius from 8.5 degrees Celsius yesterday.
An army team launched a rescue mission last night in Tangdhar at Nasta Chhun?Pass after it received information about stranded vehicles full of passengers including women, children and the elderly, and an ambulance with a critically-ill heart patient, an army spokesman said today.
Incessant rains and heavy snowfall in higher reaches of Tangdhar triggered avalanches on Tangdhar-Nasta Chhun road, causing road blocks at various places, the spokesman said.
"Army's avalanche rescue team of Nasta Chhun Pass immediately sprang into action in the wake of harsh weather conditions, snow blizzard and zero visibility.
"The team of local Rashtriya Rifle unit rescued 73 civilians and gave medical aid besides providing them safe passage," the spokesman said.
