Bhaderwah-Bani-Pkt NH opened
Fog hits air, train traffic in region
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 3: After a few days of respite, the cold returned to Kashmir and many parts of Jammu region as the minimum temperatures dropped in the valley and settled below the freezing point at most places, while fog continued to hit air and train traffic in the region.
Official sources said that as the weather improved, the BRO restored Bhaderwah-Bani-Basohli- Pathankot highway, the traffic has also been restored on Mughal Road. With the fresh snowfall on the higher reaches of Bhaderwah, the tourism has started reviving this hill resort of Jammu region.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
A MeT official said that famous ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir remained the coldest spot, with the mercury dipping to minus 6.5 degrees Celsius, while the tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 5.2 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius on Friday night, down from the previous night’s 0.1 degrees Celsius, he added.
Qazigund, the gateway town of the Kashmir valley, saw the mercury settling at minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, Kokernag recorded a low of minus 0.8 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara in north Kashmir registered a minimum of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius.
Winter capital Jammu recorded a day temperature of 14.5 degree C and night temperature of 7.9 deg C, Katra Mata Vaishnodevi a maximum temperature of 14.3 deg and minimum 6.6 deg C.
Tourist resort Bhaderwah was coldest place in Jammu region during past two days, with a minimum temperature of minus 1.5 deg C today.
Highway township of Banihal recorded a minimum temperature of 2.7 deg while Batote a night temperature of 4.2 deg C today.
Kishtwar recorded a night temperature of 3.6 deg C, Doda 4.2 deg, Reasi 8.5, Rajouri 3.2 deg while Udhampur registered 5.0 deg C temperature last night.
Kashmir is currently in the midst of ‘Chilla-e-Kalan’, the 40-day period of extreme cold, during which night temperatures often drop several degrees below the freezing point. However, current readings showed a departure from normal patterns.
During this period, the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum as well, however, the plains of the Valley have not received any snowfall so far this season.
The India Meteorological Department forecasts light rains or snow at the isolated places in the higher reaches of north and central Kashmir on January 5 and 6 besides some isolated places in the higher reaches of Jammu division.
Meteorological Department has forecast mainly dry weather over Jammu and Kashmir during the next 48 hours. The outlook indicates predominantly dry conditions, suggesting no major weather disturbance in the region for several days.
Meanwhile, Border Roads Organization (BRO) has successfully reopened the strategic Bhaderwah-Bani-Pathankot Interstate Highway after intensive snow-clearing operations restoring a vital link between Jammu and Kashmir and neighboring Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
The swift action by the BRO’s 118 Road Construction Company (RCC) has not only provided relief to stranded residents but has also triggered a massive influx of tourists to the snow-covered high-altitude meadows of the erstwhile Doda district.
Teams from the 118 RCC operating under the guidance of Commander 35 Border Road Task Force (BRTF), S K Singh began the clearance operation before dawn. Braving sub-zero temperatures and high-velocity winds, the personnel used high-tech machinery to clear the thick blanket of snow that had accumulated at the 9,555-ft Guldanda meadow and the 11,000-feet Chattergala Pass.
“The swift clearance operation was undertaken to guarantee the unimpeded flow of traffic, reaffirming BRO’s commitment to ensure connectivity and public safety in the toughest terrains,” Jivitesh Razora, Officer Commanding 118 RCC said.
To ensure safety on the frozen surface, BRO officials have been sprinkling salt and urea on treacherous stretches to prevent vehicles from skidding.
Iconic destinations such as Nalthi, Thanthera, Guldanda and the Sarthal Valley are now fully accessible to the tourists.
Meanwhile, an Airport official said that with the fog during morning and evening hours, about half a dozen flights were delayed at Jammu Airport today. He said after improvement in the weather by 11.30 am rest of the lights operated normally. Total 30 flights operated today including arrivals and departures, he added.
Officials said that due to fog in the region the arrival of about half a dozen trains was delayed at Jammu station. The inter-state and inter-district operation of the vehicular traffic was also affected with it in the plain areas of Jammu region and adjoining Punjab.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
