Mughal Road closed after snowfall
4 trains cancelled, 7 delayed
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Jan 27: As two Western Disturbances are most likely to affect the region, Weatherman forecast a week-long wet spell in Kashmir and parts of Jammu that will end prolonged dry spell in the region.
With the improvement in foggy weather conditions, the sunny days have returned to Jammu region for the last two days and day temperature has shown considerable rise during the last three days from 10.6 degrees to 22.4 degrees Celsius. The night temperature has also shown some improvement from 4.1 degrees to 7.0 deg C in the winter capital.
A Meteorological Department official said that a couple of moderate Western Disturbances are most likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining areas from 28th afternoon onwards.
He said that under the influence of weather systems, an “extended” wet spell from Sunday (afternoon) onwards till February 3 was most likely over J&K and adjoining areas.
He said on January 28-29, there is possibility of light to moderate rain/snow at many places with “heavy snowfall” over isolated higher reaches of Kashmir Division (Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Shopian and Kulgam) during the night of January 28 late afternoon to January 29 late afternoon and evening.
“On January 30-31, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain and snow at many places with chances of heavy snowfall over a few higher reaches of Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Shopian and Kulgam,” he said.
“From February 1-3, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain and snow at many places,” he said.
“There is a possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning in plains of Jammu Division with light snowfall over higher reaches and moderate snowfall over isolated higher reaches during January 28 evening to February 3,” he said.
The MeT office issued advisory, saying that the system may lead to temporary closure of roads of higher reaches and important passes like Sinthan pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna and Razdan Pass, Zojila etc. particularly during January 28-31. “Travellers are advised to plan accordingly,” he said.
He advised farmers to withhold irrigation and fertilizer application and drain out excess water from orchards and fields during the period. “A significant drop in day temperature is expected during the period,” he said.
Meanwhile, night temperature hovered above normal at most places barring Srinagar recording a low of minus 2.3°C against minus 0.5°C the previous night and it was 1.3°C below normal, Qazigund recorded a minimum of 2.2°C against minus 0.2°C the previous night, Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 5.1°C against minus 0.4°C on the previous night and it was 1.0°C above normal for the resort,
Kokernag, recorded a minimum of minus 0.8°C against minus 0.1°C the previous night and the temperature was above normal by 1.8°C for the place while Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 6.4°C against minus 3.7°C the previous night and the temperature was 1.1°C above normal for the skiing resort.
Srinagar recorded a maximum of 13.3 degree Celsius temperature today which was 5.8 degree Celsius above normal, Qazigund recorded a maximum of 12.2 degree Celsius, 5.0 degree above normal; Pahalgam 9.7 degree, 4.8 degree Celsius above normal and Gulmarg recorded a maximum of 2.8 degree Celsius which is 2.3 degree Celsius above normal for the place during this time of the year.
Meanwhile, Mughal Road connecting Poonch-Rajouri districts with Shopian district in Kashmir has been permanently closed for traffic movement today after fresh snowfall last night at Pir Panjal.
Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Yasin M Choudhary said, “Snow clearance on Mughal Road shall be done till Poshana, while Pir Ki Gali is hereby permanently closed for this season. We were able to keep the road open for the longest period in its history and shall aim for it’s early restoration”.
Pertinent to mention that Meteorological department has predicted the wet spells for the next one week beside there is snow fall below Poshana area after which traffic movement on this road is not possible and now the administration has decided to close the road for winters.
Meanwhile, due to fog in some parts of northern region, three morning Spicejet flights were delayed and four trains cancelled and seven delayed.
The trains cancelled today are- Jhelum Express, SMVD-Kalka Exp, Humsafar and Andman Express. Tata Muri Express was late by 9 hours, Malwa Exp by 7 hours, Shalimar and Superfast by 3 hours, Amarnath and Puja Express two hours and Sealdah Express arrived one hour late at Jammu station today, a Northern Railways spokesman said.
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