Kashmir braces for another snowfall spell amid intense cold

Srinagar, Jan 4: While the fog disrupted flight operations at the Srinagar International Airport for the second consecutive day, Kashmir continues to endure intense cold wave conditions amid predictions of moderate to heavy snowfall from Saturday night.

The temperatures plummeted below the freezing point in most parts of Kashmir.

On Saturday morning, water bodies, including Dal Lake, remained frozen at various locations due to the severe cold.

The Meteorological Department has forecast moderate rains and snowfall starting Saturday evening and continuing through Monday afternoon, with the possibility of widespread snow accumulation in Kashmir.

The MeT officials said a moderate to strong Western Disturbance is expected to bring light to moderate snowfall to most parts of J&K.

The peak of the snowstorm is anticipated between the night of January 4 and the morning of January 6.

They said that the weather would improve from Monday afternoon, cloudy and dry conditions are expected between January 7 and 10, and light snow might occur at isolated places on January 11 and 12.

From January 13 to 15, dry weather is expected to prevail.

The MeT issued a weather advisory urging tourists, travellers, and transporters to exercise caution during the ongoing severe conditions.

Given the expected fresh snowfall and sub-freezing temperatures, icy conditions might impact roads across plains and higher reaches, especially during the night of January 4 to January 5.

The department warned of the possibility of heavy snow in the isolated higher reaches.

As the weather deteriorated, air traffic in Kashmir was significantly affected on Saturday morning.

Dense fog and low visibility reduced runway visibility to less than 300 meters, leading to the suspension of flights at the Srinagar International Airport.

The situation disrupted air travel for the second consecutive day.

However, by mid-morning, visibility improved, allowing the first flight to land at 11:13 am.

Despite the disruptions, flight operations resumed gradually.

The MeT said that in most parts, Kashmir grappled with frigid temperatures.

In south Kashmir, Shopian recorded the coldest minimum temperature at minus 6.1 degrees Celsius while Srinagar settled at a chilly minus 1.6 degrees Celsius.

Other areas like Kulgam recorded minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, Pulwama minus 1.7 degrees Celsius, Ganderbal minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, and Budgam minus 0.9 degrees Celsius.

North Kashmir also experienced freezing temperatures with Kupwara and Gulmarg at minus 2.2 degrees Celsius and Bandipora at minus 1.1 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Jammu’s temperatures remained relatively higher, with Katra recording 11.2 degrees Celsius and Jammu City 8.7 degrees Celsius.

Ladakh continued to endure sub-zero conditions, with temperatures dropping to minus 9 degrees Celsius in Nyoma and minus 7.9 degrees Celsius in Drass.

The extreme cold has led to thick fog covering various parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar, exacerbating the challenges faced by residents and travellers alike.

Kashmir is currently amid the Chillai Kalan, the harshest period of winter in Kashmir, which started on December 21 and lasts for 40 days, offering the highest chances of snowfall.

In response to the ongoing weather conditions, the J&K administration has set up control rooms to assist residents and travellers.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured the people that the government was fully prepared to handle the snowfall and minimise any potential disruptions, drawing on the lessons learned from previous winter seasons.