MeT forecasts heavy snowfall on Sunday
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 3: Dense fog engulfed large parts of Kashmir today, affecting flight operations at Srinagar airport, as visibility fell to about 300 metres.
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A thick layer of fog that engulfed Kashmir hit air traffic to and from Kashmir. Several flights were delayed while one was diverted as the visibility fell to about 300 metres. The visibility required to run flight operations is around 1,100 metres.
However, operations resumed around noon after visibility improved at the airport. The morning’s first flight landed in Srinagar at 11:48 am.
Meanwhile, Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said that Jammu and Kashmir would likely witness a three-day wet spell from tomorrow. “Moderate to strong WD is expected and under its influence, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain in plains of Jammu and snow at most places of J&K with peak activity during 4th (Night) to 5th (late Night) and 6th morning & improvement from the afternoon,” he said.
He added that generally cloudy and dry weather is expected on January 7-10, adding that from January 11-12th, generally cloudy weather is expected with possibility of light snow at isolated places.
According to him, the weather is expected to remain generally dry from January 13 to 15.
In its advisory, the MeT has said that in view of fresh snowfall, sub-freezing temperature & icy conditions over roads in plains and higher reaches, the tourists, travelers and transporters are advised to plan accordingly & follow administration and traffic advisory. “There is a possibility of heavy snow at isolated higher reaches during 4th night to 5th late night,” the advisory read.
The night temperature rose at most places in Kashmir.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, up from the previous night’s minus 8.6 degrees.
Pahalgam registered a minimum temperature of minus 4.6 degrees Celsius.
In Srinagar, the mercury settled at a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius against the previous night’s minus 2.6 degrees.
Qazigund logged a minimum temperature of minus 7.3 degrees Celsius and was the coldest place in the Valley, while Konibal in Pampore town recorded a low of minus 4.6 degrees.
Kupwara registered a minimum temperature of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius while Kokernag recorded minus 5.5 degrees.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ – the harshest period of winter – that began on December 21. During the 40 days of ‘Chillai-Kalan’, the chances of snowfall are the highest and the temperature drops considerably.
‘Chillai-Kalan’ ends on January 29. It is followed by a 20-day ‘Chillai-Khurd (small cold)’ and a 10-day ‘Chillai-Bacha (baby cold)’.
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