MeT Predicts Improvement In Weather From Today Afternoon
Srinagar: Most parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar city, received a fresh spell of snowfall on Sunday as the Mercury stayed close to the freezing point in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir for the second consecutive day.
Snowfall was witnessed in several areas of Bandipora, Baramulla and Kupwara districts in north Kashmir and some parts of Budgam and Ganderbal districts in central Kashmir in the morning, the officials said.
Srinagar city and some areas in south Kashmir received snow late in the evening, they said.
The summer capital stayed in the grip of an intense cold wave as mercury settled at a low of minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, the Met said.
Gulmarg, a tourist resort town known for skiing activities in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 4 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam, one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, registered a minimum temperature of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, logged a minimum temperature of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius while Konibal in Pampore town recorded a low of minus 3.5 degrees.
Kupwara in north Kashmir registered a night temperature of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius while Kokernag in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 8.1 degrees and was the coldest place on record in the valley.
The MeT said there was possibility of “heavy snow” over middle and higher reaches of Kashmir as well as Chenab Valley.
“Generally cloudy weather is expected with light to moderate rain (plains of Jammu)/snow at most places of J&K till January 6 morning,” the official said. He said improvement in the weather activity is expected from the afternoon of January 6.
From January 7-10, he said, generally cloudy and dry weather is expected. Similarly, he said, generally cloudy weather with light snow is expected at isolated to scattered places from January 11-12. Generally dry is expected from January 13-14, he said.
Also, he said, the weather system was likely to cause temporary disruption of surface and air transportation particularly on January 5.
“Tourists/travellers/Transporters are advised to plan accordingly and follow Admin/Traffic advisory,” he added.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ — the harshest period of winter — that began on December 21. During the 40 days of ‘Chillai-Kalan’, the chances of snowfall are the highest and the temperature drops considerably.
‘Chillai-Kalan’ ends on January 30. It is followed by a 20-day ‘Chillai-Khurd (small cold)’ and a 10-day ‘Chillai-Bachha (baby cold)’.