J&K experiences long awaited snowfall
8 flights, several trains delayed in region
Fayaz Bukhari/
Gopal Sharma
SRINAGAR/ JAMMU, Jan 30: While higher reaches and several other places across J&K experienced much awaited snowfall, Srinagar recorded a driest January in 58 years, whereas, a long dry spell came to an end as most of the places in Jammu region witnessed rain today.
It is raining since this afternoon in Jammu and many other places like Katra Mata Vaishnodevi, Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Ramban, Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar and Kathua. Fresh snowfall has been reported on Mughal Road, Sinthan Top, Chhater Galla and other higher reaches in Doda, Poonch, Kishtwar, Udhampur and Ramban on Tuesday.
Eight flights and several trains were delayed in Jammu today due to poor visibility and foggy weather conditions in some parts of the northern region. Chopper service was affected for several hours due to bad weather at Katra Mata Vaishnodevi on Tuesday.
A Meteorological Department official today said that this January was driest in Srinagar in the last 58 years. He said January saw minimal snowfall at most places with Srinagar recording driest in 58 years during the first 30 days this season. Also, this winter season’s ‘Chillai-Kalan’ remained driest in Srinagar since 2015.
The official further said while 1.1mm of rain was recorded in Srinagar in the first 30 days of January; the same was lowest since 1966 when 0.6mm of rain was witnessed during the corresponding time. Also this ‘Chillai-Kalan’ saw only 1.5 mm of precipitation which was lowest since 2015 when 5.6mm rain was recorded during the 40-day period.
Qazigund and Kokernag recorded lowest ever precipitation in the first 30 days of January against 1.0 mm and 1.4 respectively in 2018 for the corresponding time in the south Kashmir areas. Pahalgam recorded 2.6 mm precipitation in the first 30 days of January this year, slightly higher than previous lowest of 3.3mm during the time in 2018.
The Meteorological Department forecast widespread light to moderate rain and snow over Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
The MeT office said that there is a possibility of light to moderate rain or snow at many places in J&K from this afternoon onwards, with chances of heavy snowfall over a few higher reaches of Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag districts, with peak activity on January 31.
The weather will remain generally dry with the possibility of very light snow at isolated higher reaches on February 2, while from February 3-4, light to moderate rain or snow may occur at many places in J&K.
The weather will remain generally dry from February 5 to 10, it said.
The forecaster has also issued an advisory stating that the weather system may lead to the temporary closure of roads in higher reaches and important passes, including Sinthan Pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna and Razdan Pass, Zojila, etc. during the period. “Travelers are advised to plan their trip accordingly,” the MeT office added.
Farmers have also been advised to withhold irrigation and fertilizer applications and drain out excess water from orchards and fields during the above-mentioned period.
The night temperature recorded a drop at most stations but stayed above normal in Kashmir today. Srinagar recorded a low of 0.8°C against 3.6°C recorded on Monday, Qazigund recorded a low of 0.4°C against 2.0°C the previous night, while Kokerng in south Kashmir had a low of 0.7°C against 0.5°C.
Pahalgam had a low of -3.3°C against the 0.7°C recorded a day ago. It was 2.8°C above normal for the tourist resort; Kupwara settled at 0.3°C against the 1.7°C recorded the previous night while Gulmarg recorded a low of -6.0°C against the -3.2°C recorded a day ago.
recorded a maximum of 9.0 degree Celsius temperature today which was 1.5 degree Celsius above normal; Qazigund recorded a maximum of 10.8 degree Celsius which is 3.6 degree Celsius above normal; Pahalgam 9.2 degree Celsius which is 4.3 degree Celsius above normal; Kupwara 7.6, Kokernag 10.7 degree C while Gulmarg recorded a maximum of 0.8 degree Celsius which is 0.3 degree Celsius above normal for the place during this time of the year.
Winter capital Jammu witnessed slight fall in temperature and recorded a day temperature of 16.5 degrees Celsius and night temperature of 8.5 degree C, Holy township of Katra Mata Vaishnodevi a maximum temperature of 16.0 deg C and minimum 7.1, Bhaderwah town a minimum temperature of 1.0 deg C and maximum 12.6, Batote minimum temp of 3.3 and maximum 11.8 while Banihal town a minimum temperature of 1.2 and maximum 13.4 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
Leh town recorded a minimum temperature of -7.0 degrees C and maximum 2.4 degrees C today.
Reports from Doda, Poonch, Ramban and Kishtwar said that it was raining since this afternoon while higher reaches were experiencing fresh snowfall. Natha Top and Seoj Dhar areas of Dudu Sub Division in Udhampur also experienced fresh snowfall this evening.
Meanwhile, an official at Jammu Airport said that three IndiGo, three SpiceJet, one Air India and one Vistara flights were delayed at Jammu airport due to poor visibility and bad weather. However, all the 15 flights operated today from Jammu airport.
A northern Railways official said that at least nine trains were delayed by seven to one hour today at Jammu station due to foggy weather condition in many parts of northern region.
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