Gopal Sharma/
Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Dec 23: Dense fog has enveloped plain areas of Jammu region, affecting train, air and vehicular traffic for the last two days while severe cold conditions continued in Kashmir as Srinagar recorded minus 4.8°C today. The weatherman has forecast freak weather around Christmas.
Official sources said that several trains arrived late at Jammu station today due to thick fog in northern region while several morning flights at Jammu airport were delayed due to envelop of thick fog over Delhi and Jammu. The operation of interstate bus service was also badly hit.
A Meteorological Department official forecast mainly dry weather till December 25. “From 26-30th generally cloudy sky with intermittent light to moderate snow is expected at scattered places of Kashmir, higher reaches of Jammu and light rain in plains of Jammu,” he added.
“Snowfall and below freezing temperatures may lead to temporary disruption of surface transportation on places like Mughal Road, Zojila, Karna and Sadna Top during Dec 26-27, although there’s no forecast of any major snow spell,” he added.
The official said that the temperature in Srinagar was up by 0.7°C against previous night’s minus 5.5°C which was the coldest of the season so far. Overall the mercury was 2.8°C below normal during this time of the year for the city.
Qazigund recorded a low of minus 4.6°C against minus 4.4°C on the previous night. The temperature was 2.6°C below normal for the town.
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 6.4°C against minus 6.8°C on the previous night. Apart from being below normal by 1.4°C, it was also the 2nd coldest night this season in the tourist resort.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 2.8°C against minus 3.3°C on the previous night. It was 0.7°C below normal for the place.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 5.5°C against minus 5.2°C on the previous night. It was 0.3°C above normal for the skiing resort.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 5.1°C, the same as on the previous night. While being 2.5°C below normal, it remained the coldest temperature recorded area so far this season.
Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 13.8°C and 13.1 °C respectively.
Kashmir is under Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bacha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.
Meanwhile, a MeT spokesman said that foggy weather conditions will prevail for next few days bringing no respite from chill in Jammu areas. However, foggy and chilly conditions hit normal life in the winter capital by affecting road, air and rail traffic.
“Due to fog, two flights were cancelled on Thursday night and operated today after visibility improved,” an official at Jammu Airport said.
He added that several flights could not operate this morning due to poor visibility.
Meanwhile a Railway official said that the trains are arriving 2 to 5 hours late from their scheduled time. “The trains operation has hit from last night while the departure and arrival of trains is affected badly,” he said.
In view of prevailing harsh cold conditions, the administration has declared winter vacations.
The weatherman, however, predicted mainly dry weather till December 25 and shallow fog may develop during morning hours in plains of Jammu.
From December 26-30, generally cloudy sky with intermittent light to moderate snow at scattered places of Kashmir, higher reaches of Jammu and light rain in plains of Jammu is predicted.
People in plains of Jammu especially the roadside vendors were seen burning firewood and charcoal to protect themselves from chill while the business houses have installed warmers and electric heaters to provide respite to the visitors from the harsh weather.
Jammu witnessed minimum temperature 6.3 degree Celsius and the maximum 14.6 degree Celsius, which is 5.8 degrees below normal. Katra town recorded a minimum temperature of 5.2 deg C, Bhaderwah -0.2 deg C while Leh – had 13.8 deg Celsius temperature today.
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