• Rainfall deficiency in J&K; Shopian and Kulgam among worst affected: MeT
• MeT forecasts snowfall in upper reaches on Dec 21
Srinagar, Dec 15: As Kashmir is reeling under the continuous grip of cold wave conditions for the past several days, Srinagar recorded minus 3.4°C. The MeT department has forecast mainly dry and cold weather till December 21.
Director Meteorological Department Srinagar Centre, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that cold weather will continue during the next 4 days in the region.
“From 16-20 weather will remain mainly dry and there will be an increase in cold during the morning and evening hours. From the 21st there is a forecast of snowfall in the upper reaches till 22nd December. Between December 23 and 25, weather will remain generally cloudy with no significant precipitation expected,” he said.
As per MeT officials, night temperatures are expected to decline further, with foggy conditions likely to prevail during the coming days. Shopian, which recorded a freezing -6.1°C, followed by Larnoo at -5.2°C and Pulwama at -5.3°C.
Other areas such as Pahalgam, Qazigund, and Anantnag also saw temperatures plummet to -4.8°C, -4.0°C, and -5.1°C, respectively. Zojila Pass was the coldest spot in the region, with an extreme low of -22.0°C.
In the Jammu region, relatively milder temperatures were observed. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 6.6°C, while Banihal and Batote recorded 1.8°C and 6.0°C, respectively.
Katra experienced a low of 8.4°C, whereas Udhampur and Kathua recorded 2.9°C and 5.3°C, respectively. Padder was among the coldest areas in Jammu, with a temperature of 0.3°C.
Meanwhile, Ladakh remained in the grip of severe cold, with Leh recording -10.5°C and Kargil plunging to -11.2°C.
Meanwhile J&K is grappling with a significant rainfall deficit for the ongoing season from October 1 to December 15, 2024. The Kashmir region has received only 20.1 mm of rainfall against the normal 79.4 mm, marking a 75% shortfall.
As per MeT data, most districts have reported severe deficits, with Shopian recording the highest at 96% (2.8 mm against 76.7 mm), followed by Kulgam at 94%, and Budgam at 92%.
It said that Samba emerged as an outlier, recording a surplus of 127% with 47 mm of rainfall against the normal 20.7 mm. Kupwara, with a 38% deficit, showed the least deviation among the districts.
The UT Ladakh also recorded deficient rainfall, with Kargil and Leh reporting deficits of 89% and 67%, respectively.
A police traffic spokesman said that from the past 24 hours, there was slow movement observed on NH-44 due to breakdown of 03 HMVs, single lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad and between Marog & Kishtwari Pather.
On Srinagar-Jammu highway, subject to fair weather and better road conditions LMVs and HMVs shall be allowed from both sides on the highway and TCU Jammu/Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban for road condition.
“Subject to fair weather and better road conditions LMV’s shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44) viz from Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. TCU Jammu/Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban for road condition,” he said.
On Srinagar-Kargil road, only one way traffic for LMVs with Anti-skid chains followed by HMVs (upto 06 tyres) from Kargil towards Srinagar shall be allowed on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road.
“These vehicles shall be allowed from Minamarg towards Sonmarg between 1000 hrs. and 1500 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timing. Motorists are advised to carry anti-skid chains to gain more grip on the slippery road,” the spokesman said.
On historic Mughal Road, subject to fair weather and good road condition, vehicular movement shall be allowed only for LMVs from both sides viz. from Poonch towards Shopian and vice versa.
“These vehicles shall be allowed from Behramgalla (Buffliaz) and Herpora (Shopian) at 1100 hrs. upto 1500 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after the cut off timing,” the spokesman said.
On Kishtwar- Sinthan- Anantnag NH-244, the vehicular movement (only LMVs) on Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road shall be allowed from both sides viz from Anantnag towards Kishtwar and vice versa.
“These vehicles shall be allowed from Daksum and Chingam (Chatroo) between 1100 hrs to 1400 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timing,” advisory reads.
