Two WDs to affect JK from Jan 1
Cold wave intensifies in Gulmarg, Pahalgam
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir is all set to experience a moderate snowfall in the first week of New Year as two back-to-back Western Disturbances would likely affect the Union Territory from January 3 to 6, the weatherman said on Monday.
The fresh Western Disturbances would affect J&K after the moderate to heavy snowfall in the parts of Jammu and Kashmir on last Friday, which brought the life to standstill in the Union Territory due to the closure of all the major roads and also the suspension of the flight operations for two straight days.
Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the two WDs are set to affect J&K and adjoining areas from January 01 onwards.
According to the forecast, Ahmad said that on January 1st & 2nd, a feeble WD would affect J&K and under its influence, generally cloudy weather is expected with possibility of light Snow at scattered places during 1st evening or night to 2nd morning.
He added that from January 3-6, a moderate WD would affect J&K and under its influence, generally cloudy weather is expected with possibility of light to moderate rain in plains of Jammu and snow at many places of J&K with peak activity on 4th & 5th January.
Meanwhile, in its advisory, the weatherman has predicted cold wave at isolated places till tomorrow.
“In view of snowfall, sub-freezing temp and icy conditions over roads plains and higher reaches, the tourists, travelers and transporters are advised to follow administration and traffic advisory,” it reads, adding that there is a possibility of heavy snow at isolated higher reaches during January 4th & 5th.
Furthermore, after the fresh snowfall, the night temperature continued to settle above the normal temperature in Srinagar and Kupwara. Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, as per the details recorded a minimum temperature of minus 0.9 degree while Kupwara recorded a minimum temperature of 0.1 degree.
However, cold wave conditions intensified in Gulmarg and Pahalgam in Kashmir where mercury plunged several degrees below the freezing point, even as the rest of the Valley experienced extended relief from the harsh winter, officials said on Monday.
Gulmarg, a tourist resort town known for skiing activities in north Kashmir, recorded a night temperature of minus 10 degree Celsius, down 2 degrees compared to the previous night, the meteorological department said.
Pahalgam in south Kashmir, which serves as the base camp for the annual AmarnathYatra, recorded a low of minus 9.2 degree Celsius, down from minus 8.5 degrees Celsius the previous night, the weather office said.
In Srinagar, night temperature dipped to minus 0.9 degrees Celsius, little more than a degree above the normal temperature for this time of the year, it said.
Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, logged a minimum temperature of minus 2.8 degree Celsius, while Konibal in Parampore recorded a low of minus 1.4 degree Celsius, the weather office said.
Kupwara in north Kashmir registered a low of 0.1 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag in south Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.0 degrees Celsius, it said.
Kupwara was the only place in the Valley where the minimum temperature settled above freezing point.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ — the harshest period of winter — which began on December 21.
Chances of snowfall are the highest during the 40 days of Chillai-Kalan, leading to considerable drop in temperature.
While the period ends on January 30, cold wave conditions continue even after that.
These 40 days are followed by a 20-day ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold). (with inputs from KNO/PTI)
