Srinagar, Dec 30: The Meteorological Department (MeT) Friday predicted mainly dry and clear weather till January 8 in Kashmir. The officials said that ski resort Gulmarg and Pahalgam continued to remain under sub-zero temperatures for the second straight day.
Director MeT, Kashmir, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that as expected, the weather improved significantly in Kashmir region on Friday. “We are expecting mainly dry weather till January 8,” he said.
“There will be mainly dry weather from Sunday onwards and we expect further fall in minimum temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir. There will be warmer days and colder nights and fog will develop again from 1st January in Jammu and adjoining areas,” he said.
Following the snowfall and rains, people got relief from the intense cold weather conditions in the Valley.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of a 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started on December 21. It is followed by a 20-day-long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘ChillaBachha.
Owing to cloudy weather, various parts witnessed sub-zero night temperatures on the second straight day on Friday; Srinagar recorded 4.8 as the maximum temperature and minus 0.3 degrees Celsius minimum temperature.
Health resort Pahalgam in south Kashmir settled at minus 4.9 °C degrees and 7.5 °C as maximum temperatures. Ski-resort Gulmarg recorded minus 0.1 °C maximum temperature and minus 5.5°C as the minimum temperature. It was the coldest place in the Valley.
The Disaster Management Department of Jammu and Kashmir has issued Low to Medium level avalanche warnings in Bandipore, Baramula, Doda, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Ramban districts
“Avalanche with low danger level is likely to occur above 2500 meters over these areas in the next 24 hours,” it said.
The spokesman areas falling under Medium Danger include the Kishtwar district. Avalanche with a medium danger level is likely to occur above 2500 meters over Kishtwar in the next 24 hours. People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in avalanche-prone areas, he said.
Meanwhile, Director Srinagar International Airport, Kuldeep Singh told Rising Kashmir that no flight was canceled on Thursday at the airport. “All to and fro flights operated normally at the airport and there was no delay or cancellation of any flight on Friday,” he said.
Singh said although there was a delay in Airline operations in the morning and after visibility was improved to 1200 M and all flights operated normally.
Regarding the installation of ILS CAT II, he said the installation work of ILS CAT II is complete, and commissioning of new equipment involves the removal of old CAT I equipment and flight calibration of the new equipment.
“We will start removal of old equipment on April 1, 2023. It will take about one month. Thereafter the calibration of new equipment will be undertaken. These are highly delicate and sensitive installations impacting flight safety,” he said.
Singh said they had adequately planned for Snow clearance in case of more snow. The snow-clearing teams of BRTF were engaged for clearance of the Runway Apron Aircraft parking area and taxiways, he said.
