3 flights cancelled in Jammu, Ops hit in Leh
*Jammu’s day temp slightly rises
Fayaz Bukhari/Gopal Sharma
SRINAGAR/ JAMMU, Jan 5: Gulmarg tourist resort recorded the coldest night temperature of this winter as mercury flipped nearly nine degrees below freezing point, while with dense fog and poor visibility three flights were cancelled and six others delayed in Jammu, whereas, due to snowfall in Leh, flight operation was hit today.
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The ski- resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded a minimum temperature of minus 8.8 degrees Celsius after receiving another spell of snowfall on Sunday, a MeT official said.
He said the minimum temperature in Gulmarg for the past two nights was minus 6.5 degrees Celsius. In Srinagar, the minimum temperature dipped slightly to minus 3.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday night, compared to minus 3.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday night.
The tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius. Qazigund, the gateway town of the Valley, saw the minimum settling at minus 2.0 degrees Celsius, Kokernag recorded a low of minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara in north Kashmir registered a minimum of minus 1.8 degrees Celsius.
Pampore recorded a minimum temperature of -2.5°C, Awantipora -3.2°C, Budgam -3.5°C, Anantnag -3.2°C, Bandipora -1.3°C, Pulwama -4.2°C, Shopian -5.6°C, Rafiabad -3.5°C and Baramulla minus 0.7°C on Monday.
Srinagar recorded a maximum of 9.7 degree Celsius, Qazigund 8.5 degree Celsius, Pahalgam 7.0 degree Celsius, Kupwara 13.0 degree Celsius, Kokernag of 7.6 degree Celsius and Gulmarg 2.0 degree Celsius.
Jammu experienced a slight rise in day temperature as compared to past two days as sun shine was witnessed during few hours on Monday. The winter capital recorded a maximum temperature of 16.2 deg Celsius about 2 degrees below normal and a minimum temperature of 8.7 deg C today.
Katra Vaishnodevi recorded a minimum temperature of 5.6 deg C, Bhaderwah tourist resort minimum minus 2.1 deg, Batote 2.1 deg C, Banihal minus 1.3 deg C, Rajouri 1.6 deg C, Doda 2.7 deg, Kishtwar 2.3 deg, Udhampur 6.0 deg while Reasi registered 8.3 deg minimum temperature today.
An official from Jammu Airport said that three flights- Indigo, SpiceJet and Air India were canceled while six others including three Indigo and three others were delayed due to fog and poor visibility in Jammu. He said there is fog in the northern region for the past over two weeks and the flight operation is badly hit. There were total 34 scheduled flights here today.
A Railway official said that at least half dozen trains registered late arrival at Jammu station in view of fog and poor visibility in the northern region. The departure time of Vande Bharat was rescheduled. Rest of the trains left at right time, he added.
The vehicular traffic in the region was also baldy hit with the fog in the plain areas of Jammu and adjoining Samba, Kathua and Punjab.
Meanwhile, Kashmir region is currently in the midst of ‘Chilla-e-Kalan’, the 40-day period of extreme cold, during which night temperatures often drop several degrees below the freezing point.
During this period, the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum as well. However, the plains of the Valley have not received any snowfall so far this season.
The India Meteorological Department forecasts light rains or snow at isolated places in the higher reaches of north and central Kashmir on January 5 and 6 while from Jan 7-15 the weather will remain partially cloudy in the J&K region.
Meanwhile, an Airport official said that IndiGo Airlines has issued a travel advisory for its passengers following heavy snowfall in Leh, which has led to the temporary suspension of all take-offs and landings at the airport.
The airline announced that flight operations have been put on hold due to adverse weather conditions, warning passengers of potentially extended wait times both on board aircraft and at the airport. To expedite departure once clearance is received, IndiGo stated that boarding formalities for affected flights may be completed in advance.
IndiGo is closely monitoring the weather situation and has assured passengers that flights will resume as soon as conditions improve. The airline has advised all customers to check the latest status of their flights via the IndiGo website or mobile app before heading to the airport.
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