Snow brings much awaited relief from intense cold wave

Srinagar, Dec 29: Srinagar on Thursday received the first snowfall while upper reaches also experienced a fresh spell of snowfall bringing much awaited relief from intense cold weather conditions in the Valley. The Meteorological Department (MeT) has predicted that the wet spell is likely to continue on Friday.
Director MeT dept Kashmir, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that snowfall was recorded at maximum places in Kashmir including higher reaches and plains. The prevailing weather conditions will continue till Friday evening, he said.
Lotus said although there is no forecast of any major snowfall. It may lead to temporary disruption of surface transportation on Sonmarg-Zojila, Gurez-Bandipor, Mughal road, Sadnatop, etc. on Friday, he said.
“This spell has ended the intense cold weather conditions in the valley. The visibility has improved in Jammu, Chandigarh and Delhi on Thursday. The fog may start developing again from 1st January,” Lotus said.
As per MeT department officials, light snowfall along with rains was recorded in Srinagar city, Ganderbal, Budgam, Uri, Baramulla, Kulgam, Pulwama, Tral, Shopian, Qazigund, and Kupwara.
officials said that Gulmarg recorded 5 inches of snow, while 3-4 inches were recorded in Gurez, 2 inches in Machil Sector, 4-5 inches in Karnah, 4 inches in Kulgam, 3 in Shopian, Pahalgam 3-4 inches, Sonamarg 4-5 inches, Minamarg, 4 inches, Drass 2 inches, Tulail 6 inches, Peer Ki Gali 4 inches along the Mughal road.
Kashmir is presently under the grip of a 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 ‘ChillaBachha.
Following the cloudy weather, various parts of Kashmir on Thursday still witnessed sub-zero night temperatures, Srinagar recorded minus 3.7 degrees Celsius and 4.2 as the maximum temperature.
Health resort Pahalgam in south Kashmir settled at minus 4.5 °C degrees and witnessed 4.6 maximum temperatures. Ski-resort Gulmarg recorded minus 0.2 °C maximum temperature and minus 4.8°C as minimum temperature. It was the coldest place in the Valley.
Director Srinagar International Airport, Kuldeep Singh told Rising Kashmir that no flight was canceled on Thursday at the airport.
“All to and fro flights operated normally at the airport and there was no delay or cancellation of any flight on Thursday,” he said.
Following the fresh snowfall Mughal road and Srinagar Leh highway have been closed for traffic movement.
An official from the traffic department said in view of the prevailing weather conditions, traffic has been suspended on both roads. No traffic will be allowed on highways on these highways on Friday,” he said.
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.