Srinagar, Jan 06: Plains in Kashmir on Monday received light snowfall and higher reaches experienced heavy snowfall for the second consecutive day. The meteorological department has forecasted significant improvement in prevailing weather conditions from Tuesday onward.
Director MeT, Srinagar Centre, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that on Tuesday weather will remain generally cloudy in Kashmir region with chances of light snow over higher reaches. There is no forecast of any major snowfall till 10th January, he said.
“From 7th-10th January, weather will remain generally dry, with no significant precipitation expected during this period,” he added.
Similarly from 11th-12th Jan, MeT predicts cloudy skies, with light rain in the plains of Jammu and light snow at some isolated locations.
“Between 13th-15th January, weather will remain mainly dry and clear.There will be more fall in night temperatures and rise in day temperatures, ” he added.
Flight operations at the Srinagar International Airport were disrupted on Monday morning due to the snowfall.
However, services resumed by noon, with the first flight arriving from Amritsar, officials said. The airport’s operations were hit by dense fog on Saturday and Sunday, leading to flight delays, diversions, and cancellations.
The fresh snowfall provided relief from the intense cold, as night temperatures rose across the region. In Srinagar, the summer capital, the minimum temperature reached -0.5°C. Qazigund in South Kashmir recorded zero degrees Celsius, while Kulgam experienced the lowest temperature at -6.2°C, followed by Gulmarg at -4.5°C.
In South Kashmir, Kokernag and Pahalgam registered lows of -0.4°C and -1.4°C, respectively, with Anantnag recording 0.2°C.
In Central Kashmir, Budgam saw a low of 0.1°C, while Sonamarg recorded -1.5°C. Meanwhile, in North Kashmir, Kupwara’s minimum temperature was -0.3°C, and Bandipora recorded 0.2°C.
In the Jammu region, temperatures were relatively mild. Jammu city recorded 9.3°C, while Banihal and Batote registered 2.3°C and 2.8°C, respectively. Bhadarwah saw a low of 3.6°C, Rajouri logged 3.4°C, and Poonch recorded 6.1°C.
Kathua and Katra recorded 9.2°C, while Reasi had the highest temperature in the region at 9.7°C. Ramban was the coldest in the division, with a low of -1.0°C.
Meanwhile authorities have issued an advisory for commuters and travelers following recent snowfall, warning that roads in higher elevations may remain slippery on January 7.
The traffic along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was reopened on Monday after a brief closure.
However, traffic police have urged travelers on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking to prevent traffic jams.
“Passengers are advised to travel during daylight hours and refrain from unnecessary stops between Ramban and Banihal due to the risk of landslides or falling stones,” a traffic police spokesperson said.
On Tuesday, subject to fair weather and better road conditions LMVs Passenger/Private Cars/HMVs shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44) viz from Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa.
Meanwhile, the Mughal Road, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri Road, Bhaderwah-Chamba, and Sinthan Road, remained closed due to fresh snowfall.
