• Srinagar hits at minus 4.1°C
• Gulmarg settles at minus 4.3°C, Sonamarg minus 6.2°C
• Light rains on Dec 8-9 likey: MeT
Srinagar, Dec 06: The grip of the cold weather tightened further in Kashmir as Srinagar recorded the coldest night of the season, plunging to a bone-chilling minus 4.1°C on Friday. The MeT department has forecasted more cold and foggy conditions in the region over the next 48 hours.
Larnoo in south Kashmir registered the lowest temperature at minus 7.0°C, making it the coldest spot in the region. It was followed by Qazigund (-4.4°C), Pahalgam (-6.5°C), Kokernag (-2.4°C), Anantnag (-6.3°C), Pulwama (-6.3°C), Kulgam (-3.8°C), and Shopian (-6.6°C). Tourist hotspots Gulmarg and Sonamarg recorded temperatures of minus 4.3°C and minus 6.2°C, respectively.
Tourist hotspots Gulmarg and Sonamarg recorded temperatures of minus 4.3°C and minus 6.2°C, respectively. In central Kashmir, Ganderbal and Budgam recorded lows of minus 3.6°C and minus 4.6°C. Meanwhile, in north Kashmir, Kupwara hit minus 3.4°C, Bandipora minus 4.6°C, and Baramulla minus 3.3°C.
In the Jammu region, Padder in Kishtwar district recorded the lowest temperature at minus 8.4°C. Jammu city recorded a minimum temperature of 8.6°C, while Banihal and Batote recorded minus 2.6°C and 1.9°C, respectively. Other areas like Katra (4.3°C), Bhaderwah (0.3°C), Kathua (7.4°C), Ramban (8.1°C), Samba (3.7°C), Udhampur (3.5°C), Poonch (5.5°C), and Rajouri (3.0°C) also reported sub-zero temperatures.
In the higher reaches, Zojila Pass recorded minus 18°C, while Leh city recorded minus 10.4°C.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the MeT department, told Rising Kashmir that several places in Kashmir and Ladakh have been experiencing sub-zero temperatures for several days. He added that on December 8, light rain and snow are expected in the higher reaches at a few locations from the late evening of December 8 until the forenoon of December 9. Weather will remain mostly cloudy, with light rain expected in some plains and hilly areas of the Jammu division during the next 48 hours.
Dr. Mukhtar also stated that a few areas in the Jammu division may experience thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds during the evening and night of December 8. The dense fog continues to blanket many areas, compelling vehicles to operate with headlights on during the morning and evening hours. The sub-zero temperatures have intensified the winter chill, leading to the freezing of water bodies and a significant drop in daytime temperatures.
Meanwhile, during the past 24 hours, there was slow movement observed on NH-44 due to breakdown of several HMVs, single lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad and between Marog & Kishtwari Pather.
On Saturday, on Srinagar-Jammu highway, subject to fair weather and better road conditions LMVs Passenger/Private Cars/HMVs shall be allowed from both sides and the department shall liaise with TCU Ramban for road condition.
Meanwhile, 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 1000 hrs to 1500 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timing.
On Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road, LMVs followed by HMVs shall be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar at 0800 hrs. to 1130 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timing.
“Motorists are advised to carry anti-skid chains to gain more grip on the slippery road. SFs Convoy, plying from Srinagar to Kargil and vice versa shall plan their movement in such a manner so that civil traffic (both UP and DOWN) don’t get disturbed.
On Mughal road, LMVs followed by HMVs upto 10 tyre) on Mughal road shall be allowed from both sides viz. from Poonch towards Shopian and vice versa. These vehicles shall be allowed from Behramgalla (Buffliaz) and Herpora (Shopian) at 0700 hrs. upto 1700 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after the cut of timing.
