Cold intensifies in J&K, Sgr coldest at -5.6
Fayaz Bukhari/
Gopal Sharma
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Dec 27: While entire J&K reeled under intense cold conditions with temperatures plummeting several notches below zero degree Celsius in entire Kashmir and parts of Jammu with Srinagar experiencing the coldest night of the season so far leading to freezing of parts of Dal lake, the Meteorological Department has predicted rain and snowfall on New Year.
A massive traffic mess has been created on the entire Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, specially in Ramban sector due to bottlenecks created after lands slides and traffic mis-management on the highway, in the absence of adequate Traffic police officials.
Director Meteorological Department, Sonam Lotus told the Excelsior that weather will remain dry for the next 3-4 days and there will be light snowfall and rain on New Year. The continued dry weather will lead to further dip in the night temperature, he added.
The night temperatures continued to dip in Kashmir with Srinagar recording coldest night of the season at minus 5.6 Degree Celsius and Pahalgam was the coldest in Kashmir at minus 12.0 degree Celsius.
Parts of Dal lake and other water bodies were also frozen this morning due to intense cold weather conditions that prevailed in Kashmir for last few days. With temperatures plummeting in Kashmir, the taps are also freezing causing water crisis in the morning.
However, the day temperatures have risen due to sunny days. Srinagar recorded maximum of 9.1 degree Celsius today.
Gulmarg, the world famous ski resort, recorded minimum of minus 9.5 degree Celsius. Pahalgam recorded maximum of 7.0 degree Celsius , Qazigund maximum of 10.4 degree C and minimum minus 10.5 degrees, Kokernag maximum of 6.8 deg C and minimum of – 7.0 degree Celsius while Kupwara registered a maximum of 9.3 degree Celsius and minimum of 6.3 degrees temperature.
Spine- chilling cold has gripped the Jammu region as sharp fall in day’s temperature has been observed in the winter capital city for the last few days. Jammu’s Chatha observatory recorded maximum of 10.4 degrees Celsius temperature and minimum of 6.0 degree Celsius today, Batote recorded a maximum 13.3 deg C and minimum of 0.2 degree C, Katra maximum of 11.1 degree Celsius and minimum of 1.5 degree Celsius while Bhaderwah had maximum of 13.0 and minimum of – 2.3 degree Celsius temperature.
Leh recorded maximum of 0.0 degree Celsius and minimum of minus 20.7 degree Celsius while Drass in Kargil had maximum of – 22.5 degree Celsius and minimum of – 31.5 degree Celsius temperature today.
SKUAST, Jammu Scientist, Dr Mahinder Kumar said that Chatha observatory today recorded a minimum of 6 degree Celsius temperature while day temperature in Srinagar was hardly 1.3 degree Celsius less than Jammu. He said there are chances of rain and snowfall on New Year in many hilly areas of Jammu region and parts of Kashmir.
Meanwhile, massive traffic mess was created by light motor vehicles at Nagrota Bypass during morning hours as the TCP officials did not allow the movement of vehicles towards Kashmir till 10 am. Many LMVs had started reaching Nagrota Bypass since early morning. And over 1500 vehicles got stranded there up to 10 am. This created a massive traffic mess on the highway. It was cleared after the movement of vehicles was allowed at around 10 am. The traffic jamming was also witnessed in Udhampur area as well.
Reports said in Nashri, Chanderkot, Ramban and Ramsu area worst kind of traffic jams throughout the day created massive problem for the road users. The traffic snarls led to consumption of excessive fuel. Trucks and other heavy vehicles from Srinagar to Jammu were allowed today. Over 3500 light motor vehicles coming from Jammu side created the massive traffic mess as they try to overtake vehicles and create indiscipline on the highway. Moreover at some landsliding zones, there is single track and the vehicles of the other side got struck for some time.
IG Traffic, Alok Kumar said that bottlenecks created at several landslide zones were mainly responsible for the traffic congestion on the highway. He said LMVs often create indiscipline on the highway, indulge in overtaking of the convoy and it create the problem for others. Moreover, the passenger vehicles operators and other road users, do not follow Traffic advisory and leave for their destination.
He further appealed the road users to follow Traffic advisory while leaving from Srinagar or Jammu and do not create traffic indiscipline on the highway, otherwise, Traffic Police officials would take strict action against them.
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