Srinagar, Nov 22: Minimum temperatures at many places in Kashmir settled below sub-zero for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday, while the Meteorological department has predicted no respite from prevailing weather conditions till 30th November, officials said.
On Tuesday, Kashmir reeled under freezing cold and witnessed a drop in minimum temperatures. The dense fog has increased its presence in the morning and evening hours across Kashmir.
Director Meteorological Department Center, Srinagar, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that valley is reeling under cold weather conditions and no respite is expected in prevailing weather conditions till 30th November.
“The fog covered major parts of the city and reduced visibility on Tuesday and most parts of the Valley are recording below zero night temperatures from the past several days,” he said.
Lotus said the Valley has been witnessing foggy conditions in the mornings for the past week. He said foggy conditions are owing to sub-zero temperatures and air pollution caused by increased traffic and the burning of stubble and tree foliage.
“The temperatures will keep dipping till a western disturbance will change the dry weather condition,” he said.
As per MeT data, Srinagar recorded 15.0 °C as the maximum and 0.2 °C as the minimum temperature. Ski-resort Gulmarg recorded 6.6 °C maximum temperature and minus 3.5°C as the minimum temperature.
Health resort Pahalgam recorded 11.2 °C and a minimum of minus 4.2 °C degrees. Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded maximum temperatures of 15.4 °C, while minimum temperatures settled at minus 1.5 °C
In UT Ladakh Leh recorded a low of minus 9.0°C while Kargil recorded minus 4.0°C. However, Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world remained the coldest in the country at minus 8.0°C.
As per the traffic advisory, two-way traffic is to ply on the Srinagar-Jammu highway for Wednesday, “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 Kargil towards Srinagar” the official said adding that it will be followed by HMVs. No vehicle will be allowed after cut off timings, it said.
