• Vehicular traffic affected; trains delayed
• MeT forecasts cloudy weather for next 2 days
Srinagar, Dec 01: Srinagar: Dense fog enveloped parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar city, on Sunday morning, disrupting normal life due to low visibility across the region. The fog caused delays in vehicular movement, with drivers relying on fog lights and navigating cautiously through the mist. Pedestrians and commuters also faced challenges, prompting authorities to issue safety advisories urging extra caution.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department (MeT), explained that the dense fog is a result of low temperatures and stagnant weather conditions. “It is likely to continue for the next few days,” he said. He also forecasted cloudy weather with light rain and snowfall in higher reaches from the evening of 2nd to 3rd December.
Meanwhile, the region continued to experience intense cold, with Srinagar recording a low of minus 1.2°C, an improvement from the previous night’s minus 2.8°C. Qazigund recorded minus 1.8°C, while Pahalgam had a low of minus 0.3°C. Gulmarg was the coldest place in the Valley, with a low of minus 2.6°C. Jammu recorded a minimum temperature of 9.5°C, which was 0.3°C below normal for the winter capital.
Simultaneously, sub-zero temperatures have intensified the winter chill, leading to the freezing of water bodies across the region and a notable drop in daytime temperatures.
An official at Srinagar International Airport said that the airport experienced delays in morning flights due to foggy weather conditions. However, after visibility improved after 11 AM, flights operated normally later in the day, he said.
Similarly, Chief Area Manager (CAM) Kashmir, Saqib Yousuf Yatoo (IRTS), said that there were initial delays in the morning attributable to foggy weather. However, later in the day, all services between Baramulla and Banihal operated seamlessly without any deviations.
Kashmir is gearing up for ‘Chillai Kalan,’ the 40-day period marked by the harshest weather conditions and the highest likelihood of snowfall from December 21.
Meanwhile traffic along 270 Kilometres Jammu-Srinagar National remained normal on Sunday and vehicles were allowed from both sides to move to respective destinations
A traffic spokesman said subject to fair weather and good road conditions, Security Forces vehicles shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44) viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa on Tuesday.
“Both LMVs Passenger/Private Cars/HMVs/Load Carriers shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. Commuters are advised to follow lane discipline, it said.
Similarly vehicular movement shall be allowed on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road and vehicular movement on Mughal Road shall be allowed from both sides viz. Poonch towards Shopian and vice versa. These vehicles shall be allowed from Behramgalla (Buffliaz) and Herpora (Shopian) between 1000 hrs to 1500 hrs. after a green signal from road agencies.
