Srinagar, 18 Jan: The minimum temperatures across Kashmir settled below sub-zero for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday, while the Meteorological department has predicted a 4-day wet spell from 19 January, with main activity on 22nd, officials said.
Kashmir reeled under harsh cold as cold winds from snow-clad mountains swept through the plains. While maximum parts witnessed a drop to five to six degrees Celsius in night temperatures.
Director MeT Srinagar Centre, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that from 19-21st January, weather will remain cloudy with chances of light snow over isolated to scattered places mainly over higher reaches.
“After that, there is another western disturbance from 22-25th January, there is a forecast of widespread moderate to heavy snow over higher reaches most likely during the same period. Rain will lash plain in Jammu,” he said.
He said people living in snowbound Areas are once again advised to remain alert and cautious while venturing into areas that are vulnerable to snow avalanches.
As per MeT data, Srinagar, recorded minus 4.3°C on Wednesday night while ski resort Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 11.3°C. Health resort Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded 11.7°C. It was the coldest place in the region.
Qazigund recorded minus 7.4°C, Kokernag settled at a low of minus 6.2°C and Kupwara recorded minus 6.2°C. Leh recorded a low of minus 15.8°C and Kargil recorded minus 23.1°C.
In Jammu 4.4 °C.as minimum temperature on Wednesday and Katra settled at 4.2 °C respectively.
The MeT officials said that the all-time low temperature that Jammu recorded was on December 28, 1998, when the night temperature dropped to minus 0.9 degrees Celsius.
The officials said that the morning flights at Jammu airport were delayed, while trains also delayed due to poor visibility and dense foggy conditions for the past week.
Water bodies including Dal, Nigeen Lakes, and supply lines have been freezing due to the cold wave. Visitors and locals have been spotted stepping on the frozen parts of Dal Lake and other water bodies.
However, authorities have been asking people not to roam around on the frozen surface of the lake.
Kashmir at present is in a grip of the 40-day harshest winter period known as Chilai Kalan. During this time, which starts on December 21 and ends on January 31, there are maximum chances of snowfall.
As per the traffic advisory issued from traffic headquarters subject to fair weather and better road condition, there shall be two-way traffic on Srinagar towards Jammu on the highway.
However, Mughal Road, the alternate road link which connects the valley to Pir Panjal through the Shopian-Rajouri axis is still closed for traffic due to heavy snowfall since Jan 07.
