Srinagar, Dec 04: Following the dip in temperatures, Kashmir is witnessing an intense cold wave and foggy weather conditions. The meteorological department has forecast a two-day wet spell between December 9 and 10 in the region, officials said.
Director MeT, Srinagar Centre, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that weather will remain mostly dry and clear till 8th December and thereafter they were expecting two day light spell of snowfall and rain from 9th December in the region. He said they are also expecting further fall in minimum temperatures. During the next few days, there will warmer days and colder nights.
“In coming days, there will be more dip in temperatures. Foggy weather conditions can affect vehicular and air traffic in the morning and evening hours,” Lotus said.
As the minimum temperature went down, a thick layer of fog engulfed parts of Srinagar and other parts of Valley reducing visibility and causing less traffic on roads and major highways.
The low temperature in Kashmir dipped by two-degree celsius in the last 24 hours, officials said, while adding that the temperature is likely to drop further in days to come.
As per MeT data, several parts of Kashmir witnessed sub-zero temperatures on Sunday night resulting in the partial freezing of water bodies, including Dal and Nigeen lakes. While tapes and water bodies remained freeze in most parts of the Valley.
As per MeT data, summer capital Srinagar recorded 12 °C as maximum temperature and minus 2.2 degrees minimum temperature. Health resort Pahalgam in south Kashmir settled at minus 4.6 °C degrees and it was the coldest place in Valley.
Ski-resort Gulmarg recorded 7.5 °C maximum temperature and minus 2.5°C as the minimum temperature. Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded maximum temperatures of 13.0 °C, while minimum temperatures settled at minus 2.4 °C
In UT Ladakh Leh recorded a low of minus 8.4°C while Kargil recorded minus 10.8°C. However, Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world remained the coldest in the country at minus 12°C.
As per the traffic advisory for Monday, there will be two-way traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, “Subject to fair weather better road condition, LMVs (Passenger) shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. TCU Jammu/Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic,” it said.
Similarly on Mughal road, LMVs from both sides and HMVs (upto twelve tyres) from Srinagar towards Poonch shall be allowed on Mughal road. LMVs from Behramgalla 0800 hrs upto 1500 hrs., from Herpora 0800 hrs upto 1600 hrs & HMVs from Herpora 0900 hrs. upto 1500 hrs, the advisory said.
On the Srinagar-Leh highway, the vehicular movement shall be allowed from Kargil towards Srinagar” the official said adding that it will be followed by HMVs. No vehicle will be allowed after cut-off timings, it said.