One way traffic from Srinagar to Jammu today
Srinagar, Feb 15: People continued to enjoy summer-like weather from last about a week due to sunshine while the night temperature remained below freezing point in the summer capital, Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir on Monday.
The maximum temperature has been settling about 5 to 7 degrees above normal in the valley, where early bud break in flower plants is being witnessed due to improvement in weather conditions even during 20-day-long Chillai-Khurd, which commenced on January 31. The Chillai-Khurd started after the end of 40-day-long Chillai Kalan, which is the harshest period of winter in Kashmir.
A Met department spokesperson told UNI that the weather will remain dry during the next about a week, which could result in dip in the night temperature though the mercury during the day is expected to improve further in Kashmir valley.
World famous ski resort of Gulmarg, which is covered under several feet of snow, witnessed pleasant weather as bright sunshine greeted tourists, including adventure lovers. The mercury during the night at Gulmarg, which is known for its ski slopes and quality of snow, remained constant at minus 3 degree, which is 3 degree above normal.
“Tourists, particularly adventure lovers, are out on ski slopes, enjoying different snow related activities on a sunny day,” a hotelier from Gulmarg said.
After witnessing below normal night temperature, people woke up to a sunny Monday morning in Srinagar.
Against minus 0.4 degree recorded on Sunday, the night temperature in the city improved and settled at minus 0.3 degree, which is slightly below normal. However, the weather during the day remained pleasant even as sun shined bright in the city, where people were seen basking in the sun in parks, balconies and open fields. The maximum temperature recorded on Sunday in the city was about 7 degree above normal.
Weather remained pleasant at the world famous tourist resort of Pahalgam, which is under several feet of snow. However, the night temperature at the resort, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, dipped and settled at 4.3 degree, against 3.8 degree recorded on Sunday. The night temperature was slightly above normal.
The mercury at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kukernag settled at minus 2.8 degree, minus 2.3 degree and minus 0.4 degree, respectively.
Meanwhile, authorities on Monday informed that one way traffic from Srinagar shall be allowed towards Jammu on the Srinagar- Jammu highway tomorrow subject to fair weather and better road condition.
A communiqué by the J&K Traffic Police asked Traffic Control Unit Srinagar to liaise with that in Ramban to release the LMVs from 0700 hours to 1100 hours from Zig Qazigund adding that no vehicles shall be allowed before or after the cut off timing.
The HMVs, the Traffic Police communiqué said, shall be allowed from Zig Qazigund after tail of up traffic crosses Jawahar tunnel.
No vehicle including those carrying livestock and perishables shall be allowed in the opposite direction, it said.
The Traffic Police communiqué urged the security forces not to ply on the highway against traffic advisory in view of traffic congestion. (Additional inputs from UNI)