Cold weather persists in Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 24: Though mild fog continued for the fifth consecutive day on Friday, the Meteorological Department (MeT) said that there had been a further increase in minimum temperatures in Kashmir and Srinagar recorded above-freezing point temperature after about a week.

The MeT attributed the rise in minimum night temperature to the arrival of a Western Disturbance that is expected to affect the system, resulting in a reduction in early morning fog.

“Slight improvement in minimum temperatures was observed over many stations of Kashmir division,” the MeT officials said.

They said that Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 0.9 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature stayed above freezing point in the city for the first time in around a week.

The MeT officials said that Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kokernag, Kulgam, and Kupwara recorded minimum temperatures between 0 to 1.7 degrees Celsius.

They said that the Pahalgam health resort in Anantnag district was the coldest place in Kashmir followed by Shopian where mercury settled at minus 2.5 degrees Celsius.

The MeT officials said that Gulmarg ski resort in Baramulla recorded a low of minus 2 degrees Celsius.

They said that the foggy conditions might continue for the next few days.

“The shallow to moderate fog is likely to continue till November 28 over many places of Kashmir division,” the MeT officials said.

They said that the weather would remain generally dry but occasionally cloudy till November 28 after which there are chances of light rain and snowfall.

“On November 29 and 30, generally cloudy weather with light rain and snowfall is expected at isolated higher places,” the MeT officials said.

Meanwhile, a thick wave of fog grappled various areas of the Valley.

The dense fog created challenges for various businesses in Kashmir.

The fog has made visibility extremely poor on the roads.

With the fog persisting, school buses and vehicles continue to face challenges in harsh winter conditions.

The situation has become particularly difficult for drivers as they have to be mindful of the hazardous conditions caused by the dense fog.

Amid the harsh weather, the School Education Department in Kashmir might consider early winter vacations for the school-going students.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Centre had issued an advisory for school-going children and elderly persons that they should use face masks while being exposed to foggy weather conditions during morning and evening hours.