‘Heavy Snowfall’ In J&K On Jan 5-6, ‘May disrupt Surface, Air Traffic’: MeT
Srinagar,CNS,31-Dec; Kashmir is observing sub-zero temperatures at many places as the weather department has predicted “heavy” snowfall in few places of Jammu and Kashmir in next week and that it may affect road and aerial transportation.
“As per today’s analysis, widespread snow/rain spell of moderate intensity is most likely during 4-6th January in both J&K and Ladakh with main activity on 5-6th,” a meteorological department official said in a statement to CNS.
“Heavy Snow is expected at some places during 5-6th,” he said, adding, “(It) may affect the surface and air transportation.” He said light snow is expected over higher reaches of Kashmir during January 2-3rd. “Expect colder days and warmer nights from January 2nd onwards,” he added.
Meanwhile, cold conditions prevailed across J&K and Ladakh even there was slight rise in minimum temperature with Gulmarg recording a low of minus 9.0°C.
The official told that Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, recorded a low of minus 3.0°C against previous night’s minus 4.0°C. Although the temperature was above 1.0°C than the previous night, it was minus 0.9°C below normal for this time of the year.
The mercury settled at the world famous resort of Gulmarg at minus 9.0°C against minus 9.6°C on the previous night, he said.
Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, had a low of minus 3.0°C against 4.2°C on the previous night, he said.
Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 6.6°C against minus 8.9°C on previous night, he said.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.3°C against minus 3.6°C on previous night, the official said.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 2.6°C against minus 4.4°C on the previous night, the official said.
Jammu, the J&K’s winter capital, saw a drop temperature by 8 notches from the precious night, recording a low of 5.1°C which is minus 1.5°C below normal for the place during this time of the year, he said.
Ladakh’s Leh had a low of minus 15.0°C against last night’s minus 16.0°C while automatic Kargil station recorded a minimum of minus 10.2°C. Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 19.8°C, the official said.
Kashmir is presently under the grip of 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started from December 21. It is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’. (CNS)
