Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 17: The upper reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall forcing people in the Valley to remain indoors as chilly winds blew across with day temperatures dropping after two weeks of sunny weather. The Divisional Administration has issued an avalanche warning and asked people in the avalanche prone areas not to venture out.
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The hills in the North experienced fresh snowfall with Sadhna Top in Kupwara receiving 1 feet of snow, Razdhan pass 2 feet, upper reaches of Gulmarg 5 inches and Gulmarg bowl 2 inches. Snowfall was reported from other part of Kashmir as well including Zojila Pass.
Authorities today closed Kupwara-Tanghdar road in North Kashmir for the vehicular traffic after the fresh snowfall. Eleven persons died near Sadhna Top on January 5 after snow avalanches hit the road sweeping vehicles along.
After the fresh snowfall, Divisional Administration in Kashmir has issued an avalanche warning in the hills of Kashmir. “Avalanche warning exists for avalanche prone areas in Anantnag, Kulgam, Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts of Kashmir division”, a statement issued by Additional Commissioner Kashmir said.
“The warning is valid from 1700 hrs January 17 to 1700 hrs January 18.While all concerned Deputy Commissioners have been asked to take all precautionary measures to avert any untoward incident, the general public have been appealed not to venture in the said areas during the said period”, read the warning.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, 2 degree up from previous night’s 4.9 degrees Celsius. The maximum day temperature was recorded at 10.3 degrees Celsius, which is 4.1 degrees Celsius above normal.
The night temperature in Qazigund, in South Kashmir, stayed at a low of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius which is one degree Celsius up from previous night’s 5.2 degrees Celsius. The maximum day temperature was recorded at 9.6 degrees Celsius, 3.3 degrees Celsius above normal.
Kokernag town recorded a low of minus 0.8 degrees Celsius, one degree down from previous night’s 1.8 degrees Celsius. The maximum day temperature was recorded at 12.0 degrees Celsius, 7.5 degrees Celsius above normal.
Kupwara in North Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.7 degrees Celsius up from previous night’s 5.4 degree Celsius. The maximum day temperature was recorded at 6.3 degrees Celsius.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius, up from previous night’s minus 6.0 degrees Celsius. The maximum day temperature was recorded at minus 1.3 degrees Celsius.
The night temperature in Pahalgam settled at minus 3.8 degrees Celsius last night, up from previous night’s 6.6 degrees Celsius. The maximum day temperature was recorded at 7.3 degrees Celsius, 3.3 degrees Celsius above normal.
Leh recorded a low of minus 13.6 degrees Celsius last night, up from previous night’s minus 13.8 degrees Celsius while the maximum day temperature settled at 5.2 degrees Celsius.
Kargil recorded at minus 19.0 degrees Celsius last night, same as previous night while the maximum day temperature was recorded at 2.3 degrees Celsius.
The fringes of many water bodies, including the famous Dal lake, froze due to extreme cold conditions, which have also led to freezing of water supply pipes in many areas causing difficulties to the residents.
A Meteorological Department official said that there will be light rain or snow at isolated places in the region.
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