SRINAGAR: A thick blanket of dense fog enveloped most parts of Kashmir Valley and hilly areas of Jammu division including summer capital city of Srinagar amid severe cold wave conditions, locally known as Chilla-e-Kalan, 40-day peak winter season that begins on December 21 and last till the end of January, on Friday.The dense fog has been continuing for the last over one week with the onset of Chilla-i-Kalan. The fog not only disrupted the normal life in many parts of Kashmir Valley but also impacted the movement of vehicular traffic and air connectivity between Srinagar and rest of India.
The traffic movement was slow and in some parts of Srinagar city almost came to a stand still for most part of the morning. In some parts of the Valley, some vehicles met with accidents due to poor visibility. The traffic advisory issued by the police asked the drivers of motor-vehicles to be cautious because of slippery conditions on the roads and poor visibility.
A meteorological department official in Srinagar said that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.3 degrees Celsius against minus 2.6° C on previous night and it was 1.2° C below normal for the summer capital of J&K for this time of the year.
Most parts of the Valley including Srinagar again experienced dense fog, reducing visibility and bringing traffic to a crawl.
Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 3.8° C against minus 3.2° C on the previous night, the MeT official said. The minimum temperature was 1.5° C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.
The popular South Kashmir tourist resort, Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 5.44° C against minus 4.6° C on the previous night and it was 0.2° C below normal.
Kokernag, also in South Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus 2.0°C against minus 2.2°C on the previous night and the temperature was above normal by 0.7°C for the place, the official said.
Kupwara town in North Kashmir recorded a low of minus 4.3°C against minus 4.2°C on the previous night and it was 1.8°C below normal there, the official said.
Gulmarg, the official said, recorded a low of minus 2.6°C against minus 2.8°C on the previous night and the temperature was 3.6°C above normal for the world-famous skiing resort in north Kashmir.
Jammu, the winter capital of the state, he said, recorded a minimum of 5.8°C against 7.6°C on previous night, and it was below normal by 1.6°C.
The National Highway town, Banihal recorded a low of 9.2°C, Batote 6.2°C and Bhaderwah 2.0°C, he said.
Kashmir is undergoing ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, the 40-day harsh period of winter, which will end on January 30. However, it does not mean an end to the winter. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chilla-i-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chilla-i-Bachha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.
The MeT has predicted generally cloudy weather with possibility of light snow over isolated higher reaches during next 48 hours.
“Generally dry weather with moderate to dense fog over Central Kashmir, Plains of Baramulla, Ganderbal and Pulwama districts is expected till 31st December,” the MeT official said.
However, he said, there is possibility of light snow over higher reaches during evening/night of December 31.
He said, “from January 1 and 2, weather is expected to be dry. Generally cloudy weather with light rain/snow is expected at isolated” places on January 3-4.”
The minimum temperatures recorded Friday
Highlights: Ganderbal, Bandipora, and Budgam record the lowest temperature of the season at minus 6.7°C.
Kashmir Region
Srinagar = -3.3°C
Qazigund = -4.2°C
Pahalgam = -5.4°C
Kupwara = -4.0°C
Kokernag = -2.6°C
Gulmarg = -2.5°C
Anantnag = -5.5°C
Ganderbal = -6.7°C
Pulwama = -6.3°C
Bandipora = -6.7°C
Baramulla = -5.7°C
Budgam = -6.7°C
Kulgam = -2.4°C
Shopian = -6.4°C
Jammu Region
Jammu = 8.6°C
Banihal = -0.8°C
Batote = 4.4°C
Katra = 7.8°C
Bhaderwah = 1.0°C
Kathua = 9.4°C
Ramban = 2.9°C
Reasi = 7.0°C
Samba = 8.6°C
Udhampur = 6.2°C
Ladakh
Leh = -10.6°C
Kargil = -10.2°C
Drass = -13.8°C
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