Srinagar, Dec 27: The Meteorological Department (MeT) Tuesday said that they were expecting snowfall in higher reaches and rains in plain areas of Kashmir valley between 29 and 30th December.
Director Meteorological Centre Kashmir, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that they were expecting a two-day wet spell from 29-30th December. He said there was a 70% chance of intermittent light to moderate snow in the Valley.
“The intensity of snow will be very low and mostly higher reaches will experience light snowfall. The plains will witness light to moderate rains during the same period,” he said.
Lotus said there will be an improvement in visibility in Jammu and the adjoining district after 30th December.
“Although, there is no forecast of any major snowfall but light snowfall and below-freezing temperatures may lead to temporary disruption of surface transportation on Sonmarg-Zojila, Sinthan Top, Gurez-Bandipora road etc on 30th December,” he said.
Kashmir is presently under the grip of the 40-day-long harshest period of winter, locally known as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started on December 21. It is followed by a 20-day-long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha.
As per MeT data, various parts of Kashmir on Tuesday witnessed sub-zero night temperatures and Srinagar recorded minus 4.8 degrees Celsius. While Jammu recorded the coldest night of the season at 2.5°C.
Dense fog affected morning visibility in Jammu, leading to subdued surface transport and delayed air traffic.
Health resort Pahalgam in south Kashmir settled at minus 3.6 °C degrees and it was the coldest place in the Valley. Ski-resort Gulmarg recorded 3.4 °C maximum temperature and minus 5.9°C as the minimum temperature.
Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded maximum temperatures of 11.7 °C, while minimum temperatures settled at minus 4.8 °C
In UT Ladakh, Leh recorded a low of minus 11.0°C while Kargil recorded minus 10.1°C. However, Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world, remained the coldest in the country at minus 13°C.
The sub-zero temperatures for the last two weeks have been leading to the freezing of water bodies including parts of Dal Lake and water supply lines.
As per the traffic advisory for Wednesday, 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.
Similarly on Mughal road, LMVs from both sides and HMVs (upto twelve tyres) from Srinagar towards Poonch shall be allowed on Mughal road. LMVs from Behramgalla 0800 hrs upto 1500 hrs., from Herpora 0800 hrs upto 1600 hrs & HMVs from Herpora 0900 hrs. upto 1500 hrs, the advisory said.
On the Srinagar-Leh highway, vehicular movement shall be allowed from Srinagar towards Kargil” the official said, adding that it will be followed by HMVs. No vehicle will be allowed after cut-off timings, it said.
