Air traffic restored, first snow in Gulmarg, Kashmir hills

Srinagar: Air traffic between Srinagar and other parts of the country was restored on Friday after four days, as Kashmir's first snowfall of the season and rainfall in the plains drove away the fog, improving visibility.
The ski resort of Gulmarg was covered in a 5-6 inch white blanket, bringing cheer to tourists who enjoyed snow flakes drifting from skies and locals who saw it as the beginning of the business season.
The rain and snow also gave people a respite from the biting cold of the past week as minimum temperatures went up by more than two degrees to settle at minus 0.2 degrees Celsius in the valley, met officials said.
Five flights, including two special planes carrying Haj pilgrims and an Army chartered plane, were able to land and take off at Srinagar international airport late afternoon, an Airport Authority of India said.
He said visibility around the airport improved following a drizzle and helped to restore air traffic that had been suspended for four days due to ground fog.
Besides Gulmarg, there were reports of moderate snowfall in the tourist resorts of Sonamarg and Pahalgam while Sadhna pass in Kupwara district and the Jawahar Tunnel area in Qazigund also experienced the first snow of the season.
30/11/07 PTI/The Hindu

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Categories: Airports Dec 2007