Srinagar, Dec 23: A thick blanket of dense fog covered Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir on Monday, reducing visibility and disrupting road travel. The iconic Dal Lake and other water bodies in the region were also shrouded in fog, and visibility dropped below 50 meters at daybreak. Vehicles, including two-wheelers, had difficulty navigating through the low visibility.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the MeT Department in Srinagar, said the region is expected to experience further dips in night temperatures, with foggy conditions continuing for the next 48 hours. He added that Kashmir and Ladakh would face an intensified cold wave, and colder nights and fog are expected until December 26.
The MeT department has forecast mainly dry and clear weather in Kashmir until December 28, with light rain expected in Jammu’s plains and snowfall in higher reaches like the Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal Range between December 27 and 28.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -3.6°C, while other areas such as Qazigund, Pahalgam, and Kokernag saw temperatures drop to -4.8°C, -5.0°C, and -4.0°C, respectively. The hill stations of Gulmarg and Sonamarg recorded -4.8°C and -5.1°C, while Zojila experienced extreme cold at -25.0°C.
In South Kashmir, temperatures were even colder, with Shopian recording -7.3°C, Pulwama -6.0°C, and Anantnag -6.1°C. Other areas like Larnoo, Khudwani, and Kulgam reported temperatures around -5.0°C. In Jammu, the winter capital remained relatively warmer at 6.7°C, though areas like Banihal and Bhaderwah experienced sub-zero temperatures.
Despite the fog, air and rail services remained unaffected. Javid Anjum, Director of Srinagar International Airport, confirmed that all flights operated on schedule, with no cancellations or delays.
“Train services between Baramulla and Banihal also ran smoothly,” informed Saqib Yousuf Yatoo, Chief Area Manager Kashmir.
Meanwhile, traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained normal, though slow movement was reported in some areas due to vehicle breakdowns. Vehicles were allowed to travel in both directions, but specific time restrictions were imposed for some routes. Motorists were advised to carry anti-skid chains due to slippery conditions on high-altitude roads.
A traffic police spokesman said that during the past 24 hours, there was slow movement observed on NH-44 due to breakdown of HMVs, single lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad and between Marog & Kishtwari Pather.
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,” the spokesman said.
On Srinagar-Kargil highway only one way traffic for LMVs followed by HMVs (upto 06 tyres) with Anti-skid chains from Kargil towards Srinagar shall be allowed on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road.
“These vehicles shall be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar between 1000 hrs. and 1500 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timing. Motorists are advised to carry anti-skid chain to gain more grip on the slippery road.”
On Mughal road, vehicular movement on Mughal road 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 cut of timing, the spokesman added.
