Weather clears, Sgr-Jmu NH reopens, flights resume

Srinagar, Dec 29: The weather in Kashmir improved on Sunday while the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway reopened for traffic and air traffic resumed. While Kashmir recorded a slight rise in night temperatures, the mercury stayed below freezing levels. The MeT predicted another spell of snowfall from January 3 to January 6, which could bring light to moderate snow across several locations in the Kashmir division and scattered areas in the Jammu division.

It also predicted the possibility of moderate to heavy snowfall in some higher reaches during this period. Additionally, light snow may occur at isolated places between January 1 and 2 due to a feeble Western Disturbance.

“Cold wave conditions will persist in Kashmir until the end of the year,” the MeT said.

In light of the weather forecast, the MeT issued an advisory warning tourists, travellers, and transporters to adhere to administrative and traffic advisories, citing sub-freezing temperatures and icy road conditions in both plains and higher reaches.

Despite the ongoing cold wave, a marginal improvement in night temperatures has been observed across Kashmir.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 0.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday night compared to minus 1 degree Celsius the previous night.

This was 2.4 degrees Celsius above the average for this time of the year.

However, severe subzero temperatures continued to grip the tourist destinations of Gulmarg and Pahalgam.

Gulmarg experienced its coldest night of the season, with the mercury plunging to minus 8.5 degrees Celsius, which is 2.6 degrees Celsius below normal.

Similarly, Pahalgam recorded a minimum temperature of minus 8 degrees Celsius, significantly lower than the previous night’s minus 2.8 degrees Celsius and 2.8 degrees Celsius below average.

In contrast, Kokernag registered a low of minus 1.8 degrees Celsius while Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 0.4 degrees Celsius.

Kupwara saw a slight rise in its minimum temperature, reaching minus 1 degree Celsius, which was 2 degrees Celsius above normal for this time of year.

Kashmir is currently in the midst of Chillai Kalan, the harshest 40-day winter period that began on December 21.

The 270-km Srinagar-Jammu National Highway reopened on Sunday after being closed for a day due to heavy snowfall.

According to officials, stranded vehicles were allowed to proceed once snow was cleared from the road.

The Traffic Police issued an advisory, urging commuters to drive cautiously, particularly on slippery stretches between Banihal and Qazigund, and to follow lane discipline to avoid congestion.

Several other major routes, including the Mughal Road, Sinthan Pass, Sonamarg-Kargil road, and Bhaderwah-Chamba inter-state road, remained closed due to heavy snow accumulation.

Efforts are underway to clear these routes and restore vehicular traffic.

Air travel to and from Srinagar International Airport resumed on Sunday after a day-long suspension caused by heavy snowfall on Saturday.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed that the runways were cleared, and all safety checks were completed before flight operations resumed.