Srinagar, Dec 13: The minimum temperature at most places in Kashmir dropped further on Wednesday as the intense cold tightened its grip across the valley. Srinagar recorded the coldest night of the season with mercury plunging to minus 5.3 degrees Celsius on Tuesday night.
A thick fog also engulfed many parts of the valley, including the city, in the morning, reducing visibility. The cold wave resulted in the freezing of water supply lines and water bodies in the region. The minimum temperatures remained below freezing, contributing to the biting cold across the valley. In south Kashmir’s Pahalgam, the minimum temperature touched minus 5.3 degrees Celsius.
Gulmarg recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, emphasizing the widespread impact of the prevailing cold spell. Qazigund, reported a low of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, adding to the overall frigid conditions.
Various regions in the valley, including Kokernag and Kupwara, witnessed temperatures hovering around minus 2.1 and minus 3.7 degrees Celsius, amplifying the severity of the ongoing cold wave. Anantnag settled at -4.9°C, Ganderbal -3.1°C, Pulwama -5.0°C, Bandipora -3.7°C, Baramulla -4.2°C, Budgam -3.8°C, Kulgam -2.5°C and Shopian -6.0°C.
Director MeT department, Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said dry and cold weather is likely to persist across most places in Jammu and Kashmir until December 22, indicating a prolonged period of cold temperatures and low humidity.
“On Thursday there will be mainly dry weather during this period, implying minimal precipitation and stable atmospheric conditions. From December 16-17, weather will remain generally cloudy skies and the potential for light snow over higher elevations, indicating a brief period of atmospheric activity,” he said.
Dr. Mukhtar said from 18-22th December, there will again remain mainly dry conditions, with reduced chances of precipitation at most of the places.
“Shallow to moderate fog is expected to persist in various places across the Kashmir Division, affecting visibility and adding an additional layer of complexity to the weather conditions,” he said.
Meanwhile Intermittent shooting stones at Cafeteria -Mehad, Ramban disrupted traffic movement for several hours along Jammu-Srinagar highway.
A traffic police spokesman said intermittent shooting stones at Cafeteria -Mehad, Ramban on Jammu-Srinagar highway. People are advised to drive cautiously and co-operate with traffic police, he said.
Subject to dry weather on Thursday, traffic on the Srinagar- Jammu highway will ply from both sides. The traffic police spokesman advised commuters to follow lane discipline.
On the Sonamarg-Leh road, vehicular movement shall be allowed from both sides, and special arrangements are in place for SFs Convoy to ensure minimal disturbance to civilian traffic.
Officials revealed that on the Mughal Road, vehicular movement is allowed from both sides, with specified timings in place to regulate traffic.
