Fog hits ops of 5 flights in region
Day temp improves in Jammu
Fayaz Bukhari / Gopal Sharma
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Jan 16: While dense fog in Jammu region affected the operation of five flights today, the minimum temperatures across Kashmir improved on Friday to settle above the seasonal average, whereas, a fresh spell of light snowfall was experienced in the hills of the region this evening.
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The Kashmir region, however, continued to experience sub-zero night temperatures, except in Kokernag, where the minimum settled above the freezing point.
After fresh snowfall across several higher reaches of North Kashmir this evening, Gurez received around two inches of fresh snowfall, while Drass recorded about one inch. Zojila Pass also witnessed nearly two inches of snow, affecting movement along the strategic mountain stretch.
Sadhna Pass, connecting parts of north Kashmir, received between two and three inches of snowfall. The fresh accumulation further strengthened the winter snowpack in the higher reaches.
Gulmarg recorded about one centimetre of fresh snow, while Doothpathri and Sonamarg experienced light snowfall during the day.
Weatherman said the snowfall was mainly confined to higher elevations, while lower areas of the Kashmir valley remained largely cloudy with cold conditions. Night temperatures are expected to dip further in snow-covered areas, he added.
Authorities have advised travellers, transporters and locals in higher reaches to exercise caution, particularly on mountain passes, as fresh snow may lead to slippery road conditions.
Meanwhile, an official at Jammu Airport said that five flights including four IndiGo and one Air India were delayed due to fog and poor visibility in the region today morning. However, all other scheduled flights operated normally. No flight was cancelled or diverted, he added.
A MeT official said that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius last night, up from minus 3.9 degrees Celsius the previous night. It was half a degree above the seasonal average in the city.
Pulwama in south Kashmir was the coldest recorded place in the Valley on Thursday night, with the mercury settling at minus 4.6 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, up from minus 5 degrees Celsius the previous night.
Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district registered a low of minus 2.3 degrees Celsius — 5.5 notches above the seasonal average. However, the day temperature remained 3.4 deg, the lowest in the J&K on Friday.
Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district recorded a low of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, the Meteorological department official said.
Qazigund, the gateway town of the Valley, saw the mercury settle at minus 1.6 degrees Celsius. Kokernag recorded a low of 0.2 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara recorded a low of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius.
Winter Capital Jammu has recorded some improvement in day temperature as compared to last couple of days. The City today recorded the maximum temperature of 14.6 degrees Celsius and minimum 4.7 deg C.
Holy township of Katra Mata Vaishnodevi recorded a day temperature of 16.2 deg and night 8.8 deg C; Bhaderwah town a minimum temperature of 2.0 deg C; Batote 7.7 deg while Banihal town registered a night temperature of 2.9 deg C on Friday.
A Railway official said that at least seven trains were delayed by 2 to six hours today at Jamu station in view of fog in the northern region. He said no train was cancelled and the departure time of a few trains was also rescheduled.
The Kashmir valley is currently in the midst of ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, the 40-day harshest winter period, during which night temperatures frequently plunge several degrees below the freezing point, and chances of snowfall are the highest.
‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, which began on December 21 last year, will end on January 30, followed by ‘Chilla Khurd’ and ‘Chillai Bachha’.
The India Meteorological Department has said that western disturbance is approaching Kashmir, which is likely to affect the weather from this evening. Under its influence, there is a possibility of light snowfall over higher reaches, while the lower regions are likely to receive light rains, it said.
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