Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR/ JAMMU, Jan 31: Air and surface traffic resumed today, the day after snowfall in Kashmir while authorities restored Jammu-Srinagar National Highway this evening.
The weatherman has forecast dry weather for the next four days in the region.
The Director, Airport Authority of India (AAI), Srinagar Airport, Kuldeep Singh said that flight operation was resumed today after snow was cleared from the airport. He said 68 flights were cancelled on Monday due to snowfall and poor visibility in Srinagar.
The train service from Banihal to Baramulla and vice versa resumed this morning after a day-long suspension yesterday due to snowfall.
Meanwhile, the traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was restored this evening and many stranded vehicles carrying essential supplies towards Kashmir were cleared from Chenani, Chanderkote and Ramban area. The fuel tankers from Kud and Batote area were also allowed to move towards Kashmir after 5 pm.
A Traffic Police officer said though no fresh vehicle from Qazigund and Jammu side was allowed to move, but all the stranded vehicles, especially those loaded with perishable goods and essential supplies were allowed to move towards Kashmir. He said Mehar, Seri and Cafeteria Morh area slides have been cleared for one way traffic.
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At Sher Bibi there was fresh land slide today and it took long time to clear the debris from the road to the NH authorities. Moreover, Panthyal continued to create frequent traffic disruptions. From tomorrow morning, the traffic specially LMV from both sides will be allowed to move. Several link roads in Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Reasi and Udhampur were restored today.
The Met has predicted mainly dry and foggy weather has been forecast till February 4 and light snowfall thereafter for one week.
“From February 1 to 4, mainly dry weather is expected but fog is likely to develop in Jammu and Kashmir (60% chance),” a Meteorological Department official said.
“Light rain and snowfall is expected at isolated places after Feb 4 but there is no major snowfall for the next 10 days,” he said.
Srinagar recorded a low of 0.0°C against minus 0.2°C on the previous night. Today’s minimum temperature was above normal by 0.7°C for the city.
Qazigund, recorded a low of minus 0.4°C against minus 0.1°C on the previous night and it was 1.7°C above normal for the town.
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 4.7°C against minus 1.4°C on the previous night and it was 1.4°C above normal for the tourist resort.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 0.8°C, the same as on the previous night and it was 1.6°C above normal for the place.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 8.4°C against minus 4.6°C on the previous night and it was 0.8°C below normal for the skiing resort.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 0.8°C against minus 0.4°C on the previous night and it was above 1.5°C above normal for the town.
Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 8.0°C and minus 10.2°C respectively.
While Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21 has ended, Kashmir is now passing through a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ which ends on Feb 18. It will be followed by a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which will end on February 28.
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