Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Jan 11: Cold wave tightened its grip on Kashmir as the mercury went down the freezing point, with most places experiencing the coldest night of the season so far.
The mercury in Pahalgam, South Kashmir, went down by over six degrees from the previous night’s minus 6.2 degrees Celsius to settle at the season’s low of minus 12.4 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature at the resort was three-year low in the month of January.
Gulmarg, the famous ski-resort in North Kashmir, also recorded the season’s lowest night temperature as the mercury there settled at a low of minus 13 degrees Celsius, a degree down from the previous night’s minus 12 degrees Celsius. The resort was the coldest place in the Valley and it was the lowest night temperature there in the month of January since 2012. In 2012, Gulmarg recorded the lowest night temperature in the month on January 13 when the mercury settled at minus 16.5 degrees Celsius.
The north Kashmir town of Kupwara recorded a low of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, down from minus 5.5 degrees Celsius yesterday. Kokernag, in South Kashmir, registered a low of minus 5.9 degrees Celsius, down 2.5 degrees from yesterday’s minus 3.4 degrees Celsius. Both places experienced the coldest night of the season.
Leh was the coldest recorded place in the State as it shivered at the low of minus 16.Degrees Celsius, down over two degrees from yesterday’s minus 13. 9 degrees Celsius. This was the season’s lowest night temperature in the town.
Kargil town also recorded the coldest night of the season so far as the mercury there settled at a low of minus 14 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar and Qazigund were the only two places where mercury did not dip to the season’s lowest. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 4.1 degrees Celsius, down from the previous night’s minus 2.8 degrees Celsius. Qazigund town in south Kashmir settled at a low of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, compared to yesterday’s minus 2.6 degrees Celsius.
Jammu recorded a minimum of 3.2 degree Celsius, Katra 3.4 degree Celsius, Banihal minus 0.4 degree Celsius, Batote 0.8 degree Celsius and Bhaderwah minus 5.4 degree Celsius.
Srinagar recorded a maximum of 6.2 degree Celsius, Qazigund 6.2 degree Celsius, Pahalgam recorded 3.0 degree Celsius, Kokernag recorded 4.6 degree Celsius, Kupwara 7.3 degree Celsius, Gulmarg minus 2.5 degree Celsius, Leh minus 1.3 degree Celsius and Kargil minus 0.4 degree Celsius.
Jammu recorded a maximum of 16.1 degree Celsius, Katra 14.8 degree Celsius, Banihal 6.2 degree Celsius, Batote 8.0 degree Celsius and Bhaderwah 6.8 degree Celsius.
The Meteorological Department has forecast mainly dry weather over the state for the next three days, after which it said there is possibility of isolated or scattered snowfall or rains for a few days.
The Senior Superintendent of Police Traffic, Kashmir, Fayaz Ahmad Lone, said that keeping in view the condition of road especially, between Udhampur – Ramsoo, only one way movement of traffic is possible on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway tomorrow.
“In view of the above and keeping in view the safety of the commuters and subject to fair weather and good condition of road, movement of HMVs (excluding Trailers and multi-axle vehicles) including Tankers and convoys of Army, BSF, CRPF shall be allowed from Srinagar towards Jammu side only in a regulated manner. Movement of all such type of vehicles shall be allowed from Levdora, Qazigund from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.”, said the SSP.
“However, in order to facilitate the passengers, movement of LMVs and light passenger vehicles (excluding Tempo Traveller and buses) shall be allowed both ways. The movement of all such vehicles shall be allowed from Nagrota, Jammu towards Srinagar side from 0530 hours up to 1130 hours and at Udhampur up to 1230 hours only. However, the movement of vehicles bound Doda/ Kishtwar only shall be allowed at Nagrota up to 1300 hours and at Udhampur up to 1400 hours. Further movement of all such type of vehicles from Srinagar towards Jammu side shall be allowed at Levdora, Qazigund from 0800 hours up to 1500 hours only. Strict implementation of cut off timings shall be ensured for hassle free movement of traffic on NHW”, he said.
The SSP said: “No movement of HMVs including that of convoys of Army, BSF, CRPF etc. shall be allowed from Jammu towards Srinagar side on 12.01.2017 under any circumstances. Close co-ordination be maintained with District Police to implement the directions. Strong nakas shall be established at appropriate places for implementation of the cut off timings in letter and spirit.”
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