Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Dec 19: With the mercury dipping below gradually for the last three days, Jammu’s temperature has gone nearly 7 degrees below normal during the day while the chilling cold has sent shiver in the entire northern region whereas, the dense fog has led to the cancellation of five flights and late arrival of trains here.
The day’s temperature in Jammu, which was recorded by the SKUAST scientists at the Chatha based observatory, was 13.4 degree Celsius, which is nearly seven degrees below normal during the day. The minimum temperature recorded here today was 9.7 degree Celsius. After a span of nearly 18 years (in 1997), it was the lowest ever temperature recorded on this day in the winter capital.
A Met Department official disclosed that in Srinagar the minimum temperature remained -0.4 degree Celsius while the maximum at 10.3 degree Celsius. The Leh in Ladakh region recorded a minimum of -12.2 degree C and maximum 6.3 degree temperature whereas, in Kargil the day temperature was 7.2 degree C and night -8.7 degree Celsius today.
The higher reaches of Kashmir including Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam experienced snow and rains while due to snow fall at Pir Panjal, the Mughal Road was also closed to traffic.
In parts of Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Ramban, Kishtwar and Doda there was rainfall and mild snowfall at the higher reaches of Jammu region this afternoon.
The cold wave continued to grip entire northern region as the mercury has considerably gone below while the dense fog and haze has affected the train and air traffic in the region in view of the poor visibility. No morning flight from Delhi and Mumbai destinations could land at the Jammu airport due to poor visibility and foggy conditions.
SSP Airport Jammu, Ashok Sharma told the Excelsior that five flights were cancelled today due to bad weather and poor visibility. He said out of 15 normal flights only 10 could operate today. Mr Sharma also disclosed that first flight could land at Jammu airport only around 12.40 pm when visibility increased. He said the timings of all the flights were rescheduled for the departure and even the evening flight left for Delhi nearly 30 minutes late.
A report from Katra Mata Vaishnodevi Ji said that helicopter service to Sanji Chhat from the base camp Katra remained suspended throughout the day due to fog and bad weather conditions.
All the trains operating from various parts of the country arrived late at Jammu station while several trains were rescheduled for the various destinations from here due to poor visibility and dense fog in the northern States.
Chief Scientist and Head Agro-meteorology Department of SKUAST-J, Dr B C Sharma when contacted said that Jammu based observatory of the Varsity has recorded a lowest of 13.4 degree Celsius temperature during the day today, which is nearly 7 degree below normal. He said this is the lowest ever temperature recorded in last 18 years in the city here. Dr Sharma disclosed that haze and foggy conditions would continue to engulf plain and irrigated areas of Jammu region for the next couple of days. He disclosed that some advisories have been issued to the farmers and especially for those having orchards or growing vegetables in view of prevailing weather conditions.
He disclosed that dense fog would continue to engulf plain areas of Jammu region while the clear weather conditions are predicted for the next two days in other areas of the State.
A Northern Railways spokesman said that all the trains were late by two to seven hours today in view of poor visibility and the departure time of a few trains operating from here was also rescheduled. He disclosed that Pooja Express was late by 5.30 hours, Hemkund train two hours late, Varanasi Express 3 hours, Tata Nagar -Jammu 7 hours, Jhelum 4.30 hours late, Malwa Express 2 hours, Navyug 3 hrs, Utter Sampark Kranti three and half hours, Sarai Rohilla (Delhi) 4 hrs, Rajdhani 4 hrs, Jammu Mail two hours, Himgiri 4.30 hours while Shalimar Express was two and half hours late today.
In view of dense fog in the plain areas of Jammu and Punjab, the vehicular traffic has also been affected badly. Many inter-state buses are also arriving late from Delhi, Chandigarh, parts of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan in view of fog. The entire vehicular traffic has been affected with the foggy weather conditions.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel