Fresh snowfall blankets Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 5: Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall on Sunday while the dense fog earlier in the day hit air traffic, leaving all flights at the Srinagar International Airport cancelled. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department (MeT) predicted scattered snowfall until Monday afternoon.

In addition to the higher reaches of Kashmir, snowfall was experienced in Gulmarg, Kokernag, Pahalgam, Srinagar, Kupwara, Baramulla, Sonamarg, and some other areas.

The MeT officials here said that Gulmarg ski resort received 21 cm of snow, Kokernag 0.3 cm, Pahalgam 1.4 cm, Kupwara 9.1 mm rain and snow while Srinagar also recorded rain and snow.

Snow clearance operations at all major routes are underway, while roads leading to the higher reaches of Machil, Tangdhar, Keran, and Gurez remained closed due to snow accumulation.

At the same time, Kashmir continued to shiver under a severe cold wave.

Kokernag in south Kashmir recorded a bone-chilling minus 8.1 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest place in the region, officials said on Sunday.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.5 degrees Celsius while the popular skiing destination of Gulmarg in north Kashmir saw temperatures plunge to minus 4 degrees Celsius.

Pahalgam registered a low of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius.

In Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, the mercury dipped to minus 3.6 degrees Celsius while Konibal in Pampore logged minus 3.5 degrees Celsius.

Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a night temperature of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius.

Kashmir is currently under the grip of the 40-day-long Chillai Kalan, the harshest phase of winter, which began on December 21.

Known for its bitter cold and frequent snowfall, this period is marked by significant temperature drops. Chillai Kalan will continue until January 29, followed by a 20-day Chillai Khurd (small cold) and a 10-day Chillai Bachha (baby cold).

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert, predicting widespread snowfall, with heavy snow expected at isolated locations.

A moderate to strong Western Disturbance affected J&K with light to moderate snowfall across most areas.

Peak activity is forecast from Saturday night to Monday morning, with heavy snow anticipated in the middle and higher reaches of Kashmir and the Chenab Valley.

Authorities have urged the residents to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel during adverse weather conditions to ensure safety and minimise disruptions.

Due to dense fog, all flights cancelled at the Srinagar airport were cancelled.

Director Srinagar International Airport, Javed Anjum told Greater Kashmir that all flights at the airport were cancelled on Sunday.

“The flights were cancelled due to dense fog and subsequent poor visibility,” he said.

While more than 50 flights were scheduled on Sunday, a day earlier 11,169 passengers arrived or departed from the airport on 63 flights, officials said.

They said that 5337 passengers arrived on 31 flights and 5832 passengers departed on 32 flights.

The officials said a flight was cancelled on Friday due to fog hovering around the airport while 61 flights operated to and fro from the airport on the same day.