First snowfall of the year seems to have arrived a bit early to parts of Kashmir valley, India, media reported on October 20, 2015.
Cold temperature across parts of Kashmir prevailing since mid-October have caused the unusual snowfall in higher parts of the valley. About 61 cm (2 feet) of snowfall was recorded between October 18 and 20 on Peer Ki Gali, the highest spot on Mughal Road, 3 352.8 m (11 000 feet) in altitude.
Due to bad weather conditions the road connecting Kashmir valley with Pirpanjal region has been closed to traffic leaving over 500 trucks stranded.
Local meteorologists claim to have no record of a snowfall of this strength for the month of October: "I can only say there was heavy rains across the Valley in October 2010 and we assume there might have been a snowfall in higher reaches that year. But we have no record of it," said Sonum Lotus, director of the Meteorological Department in Srinagar.
