WDs to hit J&K from Jan 22-24
Fayaz Bukhari/
Gopal Sharma
SRINAGAR/ JAMMU, Jan 19: While the Western Disturbances are likely to hit Jammu and Kashmir on January 22,23 and 24, with forecast of rain and snowfall in many parts of the UT, there was some respite from cold wave conditions in Kashmir as minimum temperatures across the Valley rose by a couple of degrees today with higher reaches receiving light snowfall.
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Higher reaches of North Kashmir received light snowfall today leading to respite from the extreme cold weather conditions. Gulmarg, Drang and other areas of North Kashmir received one centimetre of snow today and in higher reaches a couple of inches of snow was recorded.
The MeT office Srinagar said that the Western Disturbances in quick succession are likely to hit J&K and ad its adjoining areas during January 22-24 ( intense) and Jan 26th night up to January 28 forenoon. It may cause widespread light to moderate rain and snowfall , with heavy rainfall and snowfall at a few places. The main activity will be witnessed on January 23 and 27.
The areas of erstwhile Doda district and Pir Panjal in Jammu division will be affected much besides middle and higher reaches of south Kashmir including Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag and Pahalgam.
The weatherman office further said that it may lead to disruption of surface and air traffic including Jammu – Srinagar National Highway and other major roads of middle and higher reaches.
The traveler and tourists have been advised to plan accordingly in view of inclement weather. The people in the snowbound areas are advised to avoid venturing into sloppy and avalanche prone areas.
Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 1.2 degrees Celsius temperature last night, up from the minus 4.7 degrees Celsius on the previous night.
The tourist resort of Sonamarg in Ganderbal district registered a low of minus 8.3 degrees Celsius and was the coldest recorded place in the Valley.
Shopian and Pulwama towns in South Kashmir recorded a low of minus 4.7 degrees and minus 5.1 degrees Celsius respectively.
Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 1.8 degrees Celsius.
The night temperature in the popular ski resort of Gulmarg settled at a low of minus 3.5 degrees Celsius.
The minimum temperature in Qazigund, the gateway town of the valley, settled at minus 2.4 degrees Celsius.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 0.4 degrees Celsius and Kupwara minus 1.6 degrees Celsius.
However, day temperatures across the region stayed several notches as it was sunny day in Kashmir.
Srinagar recorded maximum of 13.7 degree Celsius, Qazigund 14.7degree Celsius, Pahalgam 8.8 degree Celsius, Kupwara 14.0 degree Celsius, Kokernag 14.8 degree Celsius and Gulmarg 5.5 degree Celsius. It was 6.9 degree Celsius, 8.4 degree Celsius, 4.2 degree Celsius, 6.7 degree Celsius, 9.8 degree Celsius and 5.2 degree Celsius above normal respectively for these places.
Winter capital Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 22.1 deg C as it was sunny day on Monday. The night temperature however, remained 7.3 degree C.
Katra Mata Vaishnodevi recorded a maximum temperature of 20. 0 deg C and minimum deg, Bhderwah town a maximum 15.9 deg and minimum -0.5 deg, Batote a minimum temperature of 3.5 deg C, Udhampur 0.4 deg Kishtwar 3.5, Rajouri 1.8 deg while Banihal town registered a night temperature of 0.7 deg C on Monday.
An official at Jammu Airport said that due to fog and poor visibility during morning hours three flights were delayed today. Later, weather improved and all the 34 flights operated normally.
Kashmir valley is currently in the midst of ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, 40 days of extreme cold, during which night temperatures often drop several degrees below the freezing point, and the chances of snowfall are the highest.
Chilla-i-Kalan’, which began on December 21 last year, ends on January 30.
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