8 flights cancelled, several trains delayed due to fog
Govind Sharma
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Dec 25: The mercury plummeted across Jammu and Kashmir further as both the capital cities of the Union Territory recorded season’s lowest temperature with Jammu shivering at 4.1 and Srinagar at -5.8 degree Celsius whereas due to dense fog in Jammu, 8 flights to and fro Jammu airport were cancelled and several trains were running late.
An official of Meterological Department said that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 5.8°C against the previous night of 5.4°C. Today’s minimum temperature was the coldest recorded so far during this season and 3.8°C below normal for the city, he added. He further informed that Jammu also recorded season’s coldest night at 4.1 degree Celsius, which was 4.1 degree below normal.
Since early morning, a thick layer of fog spread over Jammu and surrounding areas, which badly affected the train and air traffic. According to an official of Jammu airport, 8 flights to and fro Jammu were cancelled due to dense fog. The cancelled flights include 4 of Indigo, 2 of Air India and one each of GoAir and Spicejet. He said 12 flights were scheduled to arrive and depart from here but only 12 flights could arrive and depart. The first flight which arrived here was also 7 hours late, he added.
Fog also affected the train services. Station Manager, Jammu Tawi Railway Station Jugal Kishore informed that due to thick layer of fog in Punjab and Haryana, several trains were running late by one to 6 hours. He said that Archana Express arrived here late by 6 hours but departed on time while Begumpura Express reached 6 hours late and departed 5 hours late. Five other trains were running late by 30 minutes to 2 hours, he added.
Meanwhile, Qazigund recorded a low of minus 5.0°C against minus 4.4°C on the previous night. The temperature was 3.0°C below normal as well as the season’s coldest for the town. Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 7.0°C against 6.4°C on the previous night. Apart from being below normal by 2.0°C, it was the coldest night this season in the tourist resort.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 2.2°C against minus 3.9°C on the previous night. It was 0.1°C below normal for the place. Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 5.6°C against minus 6.4°C on the previous night. It was 0.2°C above normal for the skiing resort. In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 6.0°C against minus 5.2°C on the previous night. While being 3.4°C below normal, it was the coldest temperature recorded so far this winter in the town.
The minimum temperature in Banihal was recorded at -0.3 degree C while Bhaderwah shivered at -1.0 degree C. Batote recorded minimum temperature of 0.6 degree C whereas Katra recorded a minimum of 5.8 degree C. Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 14.5°C and 12.4°C, respectively.
Kashmir is under Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21 and will end on January 30. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bacha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.
“From December 26-30th, generally cloudy weather is expected with intermittent light snow at isolated to scattered places on higher reaches of North, Northwestern and central Kashmir during 29 (Night) -30th,” a weatherman said. He said rains are also expected at isolated places of Jammu region on December 26 and 29. Slight improvement in minimum temperature and respite from cold and dry weather is expected from 26th to 31st December,” he added.
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