4 flights cancelled, several delayed; train service hit
*MeT predicts heavy rain, snowfall on Jan 5-6
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Jan 2: While dense fog in Jammu region and parts of North India badly hit the air, train and road traffic, the MeT office has predicted heavy rain and snowfall on January 5 and 6 in J&K whereas, fresh snowfall has brought some relief from the freezing temperature in Kashmir region.
Official sources said that at least four flights at Jammu and Srinagar airports were cancelled and about 23 others delayed due to dense fog and bad weather in the northern region. A morning Spicejet flight was cancelled at Jammu airport while three ( Leh, Mumbai and Delhi) bound flights were cancelled at Srinagar airport. Nine flights at Jammu while 14 at Srinagar operated late than their original schedule, an Airport official said.
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Due to dense fog in Punjab and parts of Jammu region today, several trains arrived late while smooth movement of road traffic was also badly affected. The arrival of inter-state buses from other destinations like Delhi, Jaipur, Haridwar, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Jallandhar and Amritsar etc was also delayed.
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A sharp fall in Jammu’s day temperature has been experienced. The temple city was colder than Bhaderwah, Banihal and Batote towns during the day today. While Jammu recorded a day temperature of 14.7 degrees Celsius, Bhaderwah experienced a temperature of 15.0 deg C, Batote 17.1 deg while Banihal 17.2 deg C during the day on Thursday. Even Poonch and Rajouri were warmer than Jammu during the day today.
Holy township of Katra recorded a maximum temperature of 22 deg C and minimum 9.0 deg C today. Leh experienced a minimum temperature of -7.8 degree C and maximum 1.8 degrees C on Thursday.
A MeT official said that on January 5 and 6, heavy rain and snowfall is expected in J&K region and it may disrupt movement of traffic on Jammu- Srinagar National Highway besides several other routes in the region. It may also cause snow avalanches and landslides at several places. There is no such warning for January 3 and 4 and January 7 and 8, he added.
In view of fresh snowfall, sub-freezing temperatures and icy conditions over roads (plains/higher reaches), tourists/travellers/transporters are advised to plan accordingly and follow Admin/Traffic advisory, it said.
It has forecast heavy snow at isolated higher reaches during January 4 to 6.
Meanwhile, Mughal Road connecting Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch remained closed on the 5th consecutive day today due to heavy snowfall in Pir Ki Gali area. The alternative route connecting Kashmir with Jammu region was closed on December 29 after heavy snowfall. The road has been closed for the vehicular traffic and there has been fresh snowfall in the area as well.
Heavy snow has accumulated on the road from Dubjan to Pir Ki Gali and ahead about 8-10 kms towards Poonch, nearly total 40 Kms of road stretch. There is no chance of road opening even during next couple of days. However, authorities have engaged machinery on road clearance work.
The BRO, however, opened Chattargalla Pass today, ensuring movement of traffic between Bhaderwah – Bani and Basohli.
Meanwhile, Srinagar and its adjoining areas and ski resort of Gulmarg received light overnight snowfall as cold wave continued unabated across the region.
The Meteorological Department has forecast more rain/snow because of two back-to-back Western Disturbances (WDs) passing over J&K.
“Because of a feeble WD, generally cloudy weather with light snowfall at scattered places is likely to occur for next two days. On January 3, generally cloudy weather with light snow is expected at isolated higher reaches of J&K,” a MeT official said.
The MeT official has forecast generally dry cloudy weather from January 7-10.
Srinagar recorded minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg minus 8.6 degrees Celsius and Pahalgam minus 4 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperatures today.
The 40-day-long period of intense winter cold called the ‘Chillai Kalan’ started on December 21 and will end on January 29. Most lakes and other water bodies are presently frozen partially in the Valley.
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