Srinagar: After being blanketed in white by the year-end snow, Kashmir is set to receive more precipitation on New Year as well with two Western Disturbances set to hit the valley in quick succession, the local meteorological department predicted on Sunday.
According to a meteorological department official, generally dry weather is expected till the end of this year. However, a feeble western disturbance on January 1-2 is expected to hit J&K which is expected to bring light snow at scattered places during January 1st evening/night to 2nd morning in the valley, he said.
𝘼𝘿𝙑𝙄𝙎𝙊𝙍𝙔 ⚠
— Meteorological Centre Srinagar (@metsrinagar) December 29, 2024
● Cold wave at isolated places during 30 & 31 Dec.
●In view of sub freezing temp & icy conditions,Tourists/travellers are advised to follow Admin advisory.
●Possibility of Moderate to heavy Snow at isol higher reaches can't be ruled out during 3-6 Jan. https://t.co/O9rf6UUKPk
From January 3-6, another moderate Western Disturbance is likely to hit J&K under the effect which, weather is expected to be generally cloudy with possibility of light to moderate snow at many places of Kashmir Division and scattered places of Jammu Division, the Meteorological Department said.
Meteorological Dept Issues Advisory For Tourists
The department also issued an advisory for cold wave at isolated places during December 30 and 31. It said that in view of snowfall and freezing temperature, icy conditions over roads were expected, both in plains and higher reaches. The department asked tourists/travellers/transporters to follow admin/traffic advisory before embarking on their journey.
Kashmir valley on Friday received the season's first major snowfall, which has brought respite to the residents from a prolonged dry spell and cold wave conditions. The precipitation, however, disrupted normal life by affecting vehicular transport and disrupting power transmission lines and drinking water supply.
Jammu-Srinagar Highway Reopens After Day-long Closure
The 270-km Jammu-Srinagar highway was on Sunday reopened for vehicular traffic after a day-long closure due to heavy snowfall, allowing stranded vehicles to proceed to their respective destinations, officials said.
However, several other important inter-district routes, including the Mughal Road, Sinthan Pass, Sonamarg-Kargil inter-UT road, and Bhaderwah-Chamba inter-state road, remained closed for vehicular traffic due to heavy snowfall.
"Passenger traffic is plying on the highway. Commuters are advised to follow lane discipline, as overtaking may cause congestion," J-K Traffic Police said in an advisory. It also advised commuters to drive cautiously, as the road is slippery between Banihal and Qazigund.
Flight Services Resume At Srinagar Airport
The flight operations resumed Sunday at the Srinagar Airport after remaining suspended for a day due to heavy snowfall. Officials at the Srinagar International Airport said the flights to and fro Srinagar have been restored after the runways were cleared of snow. “Heavy snow had accumulated on the airport's runways due to which the flights could not take off. From Saturday afternoon we deployed machinery to clear the runways,” an official told ETV Bharat.
Director Srinagar Airport Javaid Anjum said that initial four flights were cancelled due to low visibility, 23 flights which are scheduled for today will run normally while an additional flight of Air India will arrive in the evening. Anjum said that the the authorities have allowed the airport management to operate the flights till 7 pm to accommodate more passengers.
Around 60 flights take off daily at the airport on an average. On Saturday, a total of 37 were cancelled at the airport due to poor visibility caused by the fresh snowfall. On Friday, a total of 8788 passengers arrived and departed from the airport on 50 flights. Due to flight disruption, hundreds of passengers were left stranded including the pilgrims who were scheduled to depart for Umrah to Saudi Arabia.
Fresh Snowfall Brings Respite In Cold Wave
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.2°C against last night’s minus 1.0°C. Today’s minimum temperature was 2.4°C above normal.
Qazigund, the gateway to the valley, recorded a low of minus 0.4°C against minus 0.6°C. Today’s minimum temperature was 2.3°C above normal for the gateway town of the Valley.
Likewise, Pahalgam, recorded a low of minus 8.0°C against minus 2.8°C on the previous night and it was 5.2°C below normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 8.5°C against minus 5.0°C on the previous night which was 2.6°C below normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Jammu recorded a low of 6.1°C against 10.3°C on the previous night and it was 1.0°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital.
Kashmir is under the grip of Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21.
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