Dense fog disrupts flight operations in Srinagar
Temperature drops even further
Srinagar: Cold wave intensified in Kashmir as the minimum temperature dipped below freezing point even as dense fog disrupted flight operations at the Srinagar international airport early Tuesday.
Shopian in south Kashmir was the coldest recorded place in the valley as the minimum settled at minus 3.9 degrees Celsius, while Srinagar city recorded a low of minus 1.2 degrees Celsius on Monday night, an official of the Meteorological Department said.
It was the coldest night at most places in the valley, including Srinagar city, the official said.
Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 0.8 degrees Celsius while Gulmarg ski resort recorded minimum temperature of minus 0.6 degrees Celsius, he said.
Pahalgam, the base camp for annual Amarnath yatra, recorded a low of minus 2.9 degrees Celsius while Pulwama recorded minus 2.7 degrees Celsius, the official said.
The substantial drop in minimum temperature has resulted in calls for closure of schools up to primary classes.
In a statement, the Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday asked the administration to announce winter vacations for lower classes.
A dense fog cover engulfed most parts of Kashmir, affecting traffic in the early hours.
“The fog has delayed morning flights on Monday and Tuesday. The visibility remains poor in the early hours,” an official of the Airport Authority of India said.
MeT officials said that in Kupwara, the mercury settled at minus 0.8 degree Celsius. Similar temperature was recorded in the district last night, thus marking the coldest night of the season for the second straight day.
In Konibal Pulwama, a minimum temperature of minus 4.4 degree Celsius was recorded while a minimum temperature of minus 2.3 degree Celsius was recorded at Budgam. Similar temperature was recorded in the district last night, thus marking the coldest night of the season for the second straight day.
Anantnag in South Kashmir also recorded the coldest night of the season at minus 2.3 degree Celsius while the mercury in Shopian has settled at minus 3.9 degree Celsius. Similar temperature was recorded in Shopian on November 17.
Meanwhile, Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that generally dry weather conditions are expected for tomorrow while on November 23, generally cloudy with light rain and snow is expected at isolated higher reaches.
Furthermore, he said that as per the forecast, generally dry weather conditions are expected on November 24-26.
However, he said amidst the cloudy weather conditions, there is a possibility of light rain and snow at isolated higher reaches from November 27-30. (with inputs from KNO, PTI)
KV News
