• Srinagar shivers at minus 3.3°C
• Gulmarg settles at minus 9.0°C, Sonamarg minus 6.2°C
• Expecting light rain on Dec 12 : MeT
Srinagar, Dec 09: The grip of cold weather tightened further in Kashmir as Gulmarg settled to a bone-chilling minus 9.0 degrees Celsius on Monday. The MeT department has forecast further cold and foggy conditions over the next 48 hours.
According to the MeT, the cold wave is set to persist, with night temperatures expected to further decline and foggy weather conditions continuing until December 14.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the MeT department, told Rising Kashmir that several places in Kashmir and Ladakh have been experiencing sub-zero temperatures for several days. “In the coming days, temperatures are expected to decrease further. Foggy weather conditions may impact vehicular and air traffic in the morning and evening hours,” he said.
He also mentioned the possibility of rain and snow at scattered places from December 12 in the upper reaches of the valley. Over the past four weeks, Kashmir has endured a prolonged spell of sub-zero temperatures, with various areas in the Valley reporting minimum temperatures ranging between minus 7 to minus 9 degrees Celsius, intensifying the already frigid conditions.
Dr. Mukhtar added that cold and dry weather will generally prevail over many stations during the next seven days. “In view of sub-freezing temperatures and icy conditions over roads in important passes and higher reaches, tourists, travellers, and transporters are advised to follow the administration’s traffic advisory,” he said.
According to MeT data, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 9.0 °C and a minimum of -3.3 °C. The ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a maximum temperature of 4.2 °C and a minimum of minus 9.0 °C, while the health resort Pahalgam recorded 8.0 °C as the maximum and a minimum of minus 6.8 °C. In north Kashmir’s Kupwara, maximum temperatures settled at 9.9 °C, with minimum temperatures at minus 4.4 °C.
The dense fog continued to blanket many areas, compelling vehicles to operate with headlights on during morning and evening hours. The sub-zero temperatures have not only intensified the winter chill but have also led to the freezing of water bodies and a significant drop in daytime temperatures.
Meanwhile, over the past 24 hours, slow movement was observed on NH-44 due to the breakdown of several heavy motor vehicles (HMVs), leading to single-lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad, and between Marog & Kishtwar Pather.
On Tuesday, subject to fair weather and better road conditions, LMVs (light motor vehicles) and passenger/private cars/HMVs will be allowed from both sides on the Srinagar-Jammu highway. The department will liaise with TCU Ramban for road conditions.
Vehicular movement (only LMVs) on the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road will also be allowed from both sides, from Anantnag towards Kishtwar and vice versa. These vehicles will be allowed from Daksum and Chingam (Chatroo) between 1000 hrs to 1500 hrs. No vehicles will be allowed after the cutoff time.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road, LMVs followed by HMVs will be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar between 0800 hrs and 1130 hrs. No vehicles will be allowed after the cutoff time.
“Motorists are advised to carry anti-skid chains to gain more grip on the slippery roads. SF convoys, plying from Srinagar to Kargil and vice versa, should plan their movements to avoid disrupting civil traffic (both UP and DOWN),” the MeT department said.
On the Mughal road, LMVs followed by HMVs (up to 10 tyres) will be allowed from both sides, from Poonch towards Shopian and vice versa. These vehicles will be allowed from Behramgalla (Buffliaz) and Herpora (Shopian) from 0700 hrs to 1700 hrs. No vehicles will be allowed after the cutoff time.
