Pictures by Zargar Zahoor
Srinagar, Jan 6: Parts of Kashmir Valley as well as Banihal, Batote and Bhaderwah areas in Jammu region received more snowfall since overnight while minimum temperatures recorded slight dip at most places in J&K and Ladakh on Thursday, officials said.
A meteorological department official said that Srinagar recorded rain and snowfall of 12.9mm in last 24 hours till 0830 hours today. However there was no accumulation on ground.
The summer capital of J&K, he said, recorded a low of 0.3°C against previous night’s 0.8°C. It was 2.2°C above normal for this time of the year in Srinagar, he said.
Kashmir is presently under the grip of 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started from December 21. It is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.
Gulmarg, which had nearly 3ft of fresh snowfall in last couple of days, recorded a low of minus 3.4°C against minus 4.0°C on the previous night at the world famous resort, he said.
Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, had 18-cm of snow in last 24 hours till 0830 hours while as it recorded a low of 0.4°C against 0.8°C on the previous night, he said.
Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir which had around 1-ft of fresh snowfall, recorded a low of minus 0.8°C against minus 0.4°C on previous night, he said.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, had 11cm of snow during the last 24 hours even as it recorded a low of minus 0.7°C against 0.4°C on previous night, the official said.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir, having snow depth of had around 8 inches of snowfall, recorded a minimum of 0.0°C, same as on the previous night, the official said.
Reports reaching said that Bandipora-Gurez road remained closed with over 2.0ft at Razdan top, 2ft at Tulail and 1.5ft at Dawar.
Also Machil, Karna and Keran roads have been closed as higher reaches of Kupwara received 2-4ft snow.
Jammu, having 48mm of rainfall in 24 hours till 0830 hours, recorded a low of 10.3°C, down by 1.3°C from the precious night and normal of 7.3°C for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.
He said Banihal had 12cm of snowfall, Batote 0.6cm and Bhaderwah 3cm during the time.
Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 7.6°C against last night’s minus 7.3°C while Kargil station recorded a minimum of minus 7.6°C, the official said.
“Expect another (heavy to very heavy) spell during January 7-8th,” he said, adding, “People are once again requested not to venture in avalanche prone area as our data shows that most avalanches are triggered during Intense heavy snowfall.” He also urged people to follow traffic advisory and maintain proper ventilation of rooms.
He that weather will be “favourable” for flight operation on Thursday and Friday but no so on weekend when it has forecast heavy to very snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir. The poor visibility at Srinagar airport led to the cancellation of 79 flights in last two delays, officials said.
