The plains and mountains of Indian-controlled Kashmir have received a first snowfall this winter since Wednesday evening, putting an end to two-month-long dry spell in the region, Meteorological officials said on Thursday.

Snowfall accompanied by intermittent rains was reported from almost all part of the region including famous ski resort Gulmarg and other tourist destinations.

"Snowfall was reported from Shopian, Kulgam, Jawahar Tunnel, Qazigund, Kokernag, Pahalgam, Anantnag, Gurez, Machil, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Gund and Zojila. It started last evening and is still going on,"said Amir Ali, a disaster management official in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

The Srinagar-Jammu highway has been blocked due to heavy snowfall and slippery condition of road at Jawahar tunnel and Patni top. Traffic officials said over 400 vehicles were stranded in the road.

Snow has also accumulated on the roads connecting districts to Srinagar city. Officials said snow clearance machines have been pressed into operation to clear roads in snow-bound.

Meteorological officials have predicted further downpour in next 48 hours. "There will be more snowfall today and tomorrow,"said Sonam Lotus, Director Meteorological Department in Srinagar Thursday.

The minimum temperature in Srinagar on Thursday was recorded at minus 0.2 degrees in contrast to the last few weeks during which it slipped to minus 6.6 degrees.

The snowfall has forced authorities to close educational institutions. The authorities had kept the schools open in winters to compensate for the loss in studies suffered by students during the summer unrest. "All the High and Higher secondary schools in Kashmir Valley have been closed till further orders," said a government spokesman.

The snowfall has also affected electricity supply in the snow bound areas as tree branches and wires have fallen down at many places snapping transmission lines.

Meanwhile, the Press Trust of India said all flights between Srinagar and Jammu were canceled Thursday following inclement weather and heavy snowfall.

Heavy snowfalls across the Valley have brought severe travel disruption, with roads gridlocked and flights delayed or canceled, said the report.

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