Cold wave intensifies in J-K, fog hits 7 flights
*Tourists relish foolproof security in Bhaderwah
Gopal Sharma/Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Jan 11: The winter capital Jammu turned cold as compared to Srinagar, as its day temperature significantly dropped today while the cold wave conditions intensified in Jammu and Kashmir, with minimum temperature settling several degrees below freezing point across Kashmir.
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The sub-zero temperature and clear skies resulted in the freezing of parts of Dal lake and other water bodies. The taps and water pipes also remained frozen in several parts of the region due to subzero temperatures.
Jammu turned colder than Srinagar on Sunday as the winter capital, as per Chatha observatory of SKUAST, recorded the day temperature of 10.6 Deg C while Srinagar registered 11.9 deg C.
The winter capital City (Jammu) also recorded season’s lowest temperature of 1.6 deg C on Sunday, according to Chatha observatory. As per MeT observatory located in the north of the City, Jammu recorded a day temperature of 11.7 deg C which is again lower than Srinagar.
A MeT official said that Samba again recorded a low of -0.7 deg C temperature last night while the day temperature remained 15.4 deg C. Samba town had recorded a minimum temperature of -1.6 deg C on Saturday, indicating a little improvement in night temperature today.
Udhampur recorded a minimum temperature of 0.8 deg C, Rajouri -1.6 deg C, Poonch 1.9 deg, Doda 2.9, Kishtwar 2.7 degrees while Reasi 2.2 deg C during last night.
The official further said that Bhaderwah tourist destination recorded a minimum temperature of -2.0 and max 17.4 degc, Katra minimum 4.4 and maximum 17.2 deg C, Batote a night temperature of 3 deg while Banihal town a minimum temperature of 7.1 deg C on Sunday.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.2 degrees Celsius last night, slight up from the previous night’s minus 5.7 degrees Celsius.
The summer capital had recorded its coldest night this season on Thursday when the minimum temperature dipped to minus 6 degrees Celsius.
Shopian town was the coldest place across the Valley, as the minimum settled at minus 8.6 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam tourist resort registered a low of minus 7.6 degrees Celsius.
The night temperature in the popular ski destination of Gulmarg settled at a low of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, up from the previous night’s minus 6.8 degrees Celsius.
The tourist resort of Sonamarg in Ganderbal district recorded a minimum temperature of 4.3 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund registered a low of minus 5.8 degrees Celsius, the season’s coldest. Kokernag recorded a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara minus 5.6 degrees Celsius.
However, day temperatures across the region stayed several notches as it was a sunny day in Kashmir.
Srinagar recorded a maximum of 11.9 degree Celsius, Qazigund 13.2 degree Celsius, Pahalgam 9.6 degree Celsius, Kupwara 11.2 degree Celsius, Kokernag of 11.4 degree Celsius and Gulmarg 7.4 degree Celsius. It was 5.3 degree Celsius, 7.3 degree Celsius, 4.8 degree Celsius, 4.2 degree Celsius, 6.6 degree Celsius and 6.7 degree Celsius above normal respectively for these places.
The India Meteorological Department has said the weather is likely to remain dry but cloudy till January 21.
Meanwhile, high altitude snow destinations along Bhaderwah-Pathankot interstate highway have off late become the choice of visitors due to it’s mundane beauty, fresh snowfall coupled with round the clock foolproof security and hospitality of the local vendors and hoteliers.
Despite very harsh weather, strong security provided by SOG (Special Operation Group) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and hospitality by locals help overcome initial fears, allowing tourists to enjoy natural beauty and activities like snow play.
Since last two weeks, the snow destinations along Bhadarwah-Pathankot highway have become immensely popular among visitors as despite recent terrorists activities in the forests of Kishtwar and neighboring Kathua and Udhampur districts, Police by it’s presence and friendly nature has provided the much needed sense of security among the tourists.
SP Bhaderwah Vinod Sharma said, “In Jammu and Kashmir, Bhaderwah is one of the most beautiful destination and attracts tourists in large numbers but when high altitudes mountains surrounding Valley start receiving heavy snowfall, it becomes very challenging for us as security point of view because visitors love to venture snow filled meadows and passes especially along Bhaderwah-Bani-Basohli-Pathankot highway and Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate Road.”
“Despite recent snowfall and very harsh weather conditions with night temperature falling to minus 5-7 deg c, we have maintained round the clock vigil and provided security cover in high altitude tourist destinations like Guldanda, Panj Nallah and Chattargalla located at a height of 9,555 ft, 10,200 and 11,000 ft respectively for the visiting tourists so they can feel completely secure here,” the SP added.
Tourists were all praise for the police and locals for making their visit secure and comfortable by extending all the help despite very high altitude.
“We were a bit skeptical about the safety concerns before coming here but after reaching Guldanda and visiting Chattergalla Pass, all our fear fizzled as the security provided by police along these snow covered passes is so good that we are enjoying to hilt and the hospitality of locals has made our visit memorable, would surely love to visit Bhaderwah again,” said a tourist Vishal from Maharashtra.
“We got all the support from police, there are enough check posts but the friendly attitude of local police made our trip more enjoyable as for us to get to see snow and that too in a safe and secure environment is what we expected,” said Satish Singh Jhadav, a tourist from Gujarat.
According to president vendors Association Guldanda Yasir Wani, 19000 tourists have visited the destination since last 15 days after the first snowfall.
Overwhelmed by the footfall of visitors, Tourism Department and District administration Doda have decided to organise 2-day winter festival at Guldanda on 17th and 18th of this month.
Meanwhile, a report from Poonch said that Mughal Road, which connects Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri-Poonch in the Jammu region, was reopened for vehicular movement on Saturday after remaining closed for about a week due to fresh snowfall and slippery road conditions.
A Traffic Police officer said that the thoroughfare has been reopened following snowfall and slippery conditions along the route, particularly around Peer Ki Gali. He said traffic movement was suspended as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of commuters.
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