Several trains delayed due to fog
Fayaz Bukhari/Gopal Sharma
SRINAGAR/ JAMMU, Jan 1: While the entire region has come under the grip of spine-chilling cold waves, the Western Disturbances (WDs) would cause rain and snowfall on January 4 and 5.
The weatherman today forecast major wet spell for the first week of the New Year due to two back to back Western Disturbances that can lead to disruption in surface transport but will give relief to the people from intense cold weather conditions.
Deputy Director Meteorological Department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, while issuing weather advisory said that rain and snow are expected across the State and it could lead to the disruption in surface transport.
“A fresh Western Disturbance will most likely affect the State from the evening of January 1 to 2,” he said adding that under the influence of this system, there is possibility of light rain or snow in plains and moderate rain or snow in upper reaches at widespread places across the State.
The MeT official said that another Western Disturbance will most likely affect the State from evening of January 4 to 6. “There is possibility of moderate rain or snowfall at widespread places of Jammu and Kashmir including Ladakh and heavy snowfall at isolated places with maximum intensity and spread on 4 and 5 January and gradual decrease thereafter”, he said.
He said that there will be significant fall in day temperature while as the night temperature would rise slightly. He added that the intense cold in Kashmir these days is because of the long dry spell in Kashmir.
Cold wave conditions continued in the Kashmir valley and the Ladakh region today as minimum temperatures remained below the freezing point, resulting in frozen water bodies and water supply lines in several residential areas.
Kargil recorded the night’s lowest temperature at minus 17.3 degrees Celsius while neighbouring Leh recorded a minimum temperature of minus 14.6 degrees Celsius. The maximum day temperature at these two places was recorded at minus 0.2 degrees Celsius and 4 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 4.2 while the mercury in Qazigund in South Kashmir settled at a low of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius. The maximum day temperature at these two places was recorded at 5.2 degrees Celsius and 6.4 degrees Celsius respectively.
Gulmarg, the famous skiing resort in North Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius and the maximum day temperature of the place was registered at 5.0 degrees Celsius.
The night temperature in Pahalgam settled at a low of minus 4.9 degrees and the maximum day temperature of the place was recorded at 4.9 degrees Celsius.
Kokernag town recorded a low of minus 1.9 degrees Celsius while Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a low of minus 5.4 degrees Celsius last night. The maximum day temperature at these two places was recorded at 6.2 degrees Celsius and 6.4 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The winter capital city-Jammu, recorded a minimum temperature of 5.5 degree Celsius and maximum 20.2 degrees. Holy township of Katra witnessed a minimum temperature of 7.2 degrees and maximum 17.4 deg C; tourist resort Bhaderwah recorded maximum 13.4 degrees C and minimum 1.2 degree C temperature while Batote maximum 16.0 degrees C and minimum 2.1 degrees Celsius, whereas, Banihal town in district Ramban today recorded a night temperature of 1.7 degrees C and 15.6 degrees C as day temperature.
The sky remained cloudy during second half of the day in Jammu and the temperature showed sharp fall in the evening. The entire region has come under the grip of intense cold wave and the Met officials have predicted rain and snowfall on January 4-5. There after the weather will show gradual improvement. There is still less fog in plain areas of Jammu, Samba and Kathua but the MeT officials have predicted dense fog in coming days on the plain areas of Jammu region. The trains are arriving late from their schedule ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours due to foggy conditions in Punjab and Haryana.
A Northern Railways spokesman said that several trains were delayed by 25 minutes to 35 minutes today. While Kamkhya-Katra Mata Vaishnodevi was late by 8 hours, Jammu-Ahmedabad Express by 8 hrs, Utter Sampark Kranti by an hour and 05 minutes while Sealdah Express was late by 45 minutes today. The flights were, however, on time today at Jammu airport, an official spokesman said.
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