Srinagar, Jan 11: Higher reaches in Kashmir on Wednesday experienced moderate to heavy snowfall while the lowlands received. The wet spell brought respite from the chilly weather conditions prevailing in the region.
Director Meteorological Department, Kashmir, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that as predicted, the plains in Kashmir witnessed intermittent rains while the upper reaches received moderate to heavy snowfall until Wednesday late evening.
“As Wednesday night progresses, the intensity and distribution of snowfall and rain will gradually increase.Some areas, particularly in higher reaches may receive heavy snowfall,” he said
On Thursday, there will be widespread light to moderate snowfall in Kashmir, and rain in the plains of Jammu. We are expecting improvement in prevailing weather conditions from Friday onward, he said.
As per MeT department officials, moderate to heavy snowfall was recorded at Ski resort Gulmarg, SonamargZojila, Minamarg, Drass, Gurez, Tulail, Peer Ki Gali, DoodPatri, Keran and Machil sectors of Kupwara.
Several parts of Jammu also witnessed rains and snowfall including Pir Ki Gali, higher reaches of Bhaderwah and Kistawar also witnessed light snowfall till late Wednesday evening,” he said.
Kashmir is presently under the grip of a 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started on December 21. It is followed by a 20-day-long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘ChillaBachha.
Following the cloudy weather, except Gulmarg various parts of Kashmir on Wednesday witnessed improvement in night temperatures, Srinagar recorded 3.5 degrees Celsius and 5.4 °C as the maximum temperature.
Health resort Pahalgam in south Kashmir settled at minus 0.3 °C degrees and witnessed 2.0 maximum temperatures. Ski-resort Gulmarg recorded minus 0.3 °C maximum temperature and minus 1.0°C as minimum temperature.
Director Srinagar International Airport, Kuldeep Singh told Rising Kashmir that all airlines operated normally at the airport.
“No flight was canceled or delayed. All to and fro flights operated normally at the airport,” he said.
While a medium-level avalanche danger warning has been issued by the disaster management authority advising people living in avalanche-prone areas not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary.
The fresh spell of snow and rainfall resulted in landslides at several places, which lead to the closure of the Mughal road and Srinagar Leh highway for traffic movement.
An official from the traffic department said in view of the prevailing weather conditions, traffic has been suspended on both roads. No traffic will be allowed on highways on these highways on Thursday,” he said.
As per the traffic advisory for Thursday, 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.
