Rain in Jammu, snowfall on higher reaches
Gopal Sharma/Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Dec 23: With light rain in many parts of Jammu region and snowfall on the higher reaches, Mughal Road, Chattergalla Pass on Bani-Bhaderwah road and Sinthan Pass in Kishtwar were closed while a sharp fall in Jammu’s temperature has been experienced.
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While it remained cloudy in Jammu throughout the day today, the temple city and many parts of the region experienced light rain this afternoon. However, the higher reaches in Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi and Kathua experienced fresh snowfall.
The traffic on Mughal Road from Poonch and Shopian side was also suspended during the day due to fresh snowfall at Peer Ki Gali. Reports said that Pir Ki Gali witnessed about 8 to 10 inch snowfall, Chattergalla nearly 6 to 8 inch while Sinthan Pass about one to 1.5 ft snowfall. The traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was moving smoothly.
With bad weather, the chopper service to Mata Vaishnodevi from base camp Katra also remained affected for nearly entire day today.
With no forecast of any major wet spell for the next two weeks, the weatherman here has predicted erratic weather conditions in Jammu and Kashmir till January 3, forecasting light snowfall over higher reaches of the Valley.
The weatherman said weather is expected to remain generally dry for the next three days while light rain over the plains of Jammu and light snow over the higher reaches of Chenab valley and Pirpanjal Range is expected towards Late December 27 afternoon to December 28 forenoon.
Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad has said that the weather is expected to remain generally dry on December 29.
He said that on December 31, the weather would remain generally cloudy with the possibility of light snow at isolated higher reaches.
“From January 1 to January 3, the weather will remain generally cloudy with the possibility of light snow at isolated to scattered places,” he said.
In its advisory, the MeT has predicted fall in minimum temperature by 2-3 degree Celsius during 24-26th December. It read that the cold wave will continue at isolated places till December 26.
In view of the fresh snowfall, sub-freezing temperature & icy conditions over roads of important passes and higher reaches, the tourists, travelers and transporters are advised to follow administration and traffic advisory, the advisory said.
Moreover, the night temperature has improved across the Valley with Srinagar recording a low of minus 3.6 degree Celsius.
Qazigund recorded a low of minus 4.8 degree Celsius while Pahalgam recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.0 degree Celsius.
In Kupwara, the mercury settled at minus 4.3 degree Celsius while at Kokernag, it settled at minus 4.0 degree Celsius. Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, has recorded a low of minus 4.8 degree Celsius.
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