Gulmarg records season’s lowest at minus 0.5°C
By: Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Nov 13: Rain in the plains and fresh snowfall in higher reaches intensified cold conditions across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, disrupting traffic on key mountain roads, with the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag and Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) roads closed due to snow accumulation.
Gulmarg recorded the season’s lowest temperature at minus 0.5 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam recorded a minimum of 4 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Department has forecast brief spells of light rain and snowfall over higher reaches at scattered places on Saturday before generally dry weather sets in from November 15.
According to rainfall data, Baramulla recorded the highest precipitation at 49.5 mm during the past 24 hours, followed by Gulmarg at 40.6 mm and Kupwara at 37.3 mm. Srinagar received 16.3 mm of rainfall, while Pahalgam recorded 22.4 mm.
Other rainfall figures included 16.1 mm in Batote, 15.3 mm in Bhaderwah, 10.5 mm in Banihal, 6.4 mm in Kokernag and 5.8 mm in Qazigund.
Fresh snowfall of around 2-6 inches was reported in Gulmarg and other higher reaches.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 15.2 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 6.2 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg’s maximum settled at 6.2 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam recorded 14.1 degrees as its maximum and 4 degrees as its minimum.
Kupwara recorded a maximum of 10.3 degrees Celsius, while Qazigund and Kokernag registered maximum temperatures of 13.4 and 14 degrees Celsius, respectively.
In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 28 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 16.3 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, fresh snowfall forced the closure of the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244) and the SSG road along the Zojila axis, officials said.
The Traffic Police said the Mughal Road (NH-701A), connecting Poonch and Shopian, would reopen for traffic from both sides on Saturday, subject to favourable weather, road conditions and clearance by the road maintenance agency, GREF.
Light motor vehicles, followed by heavy vehicles of up to 10 tyres, will be allowed to ply until 6 pm. No vehicle will be permitted beyond the prescribed cut-off time.
Traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained very slow during the past 24 hours due to single-lane stretches, uneven road surfaces at Dawal in Udhampur and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, besides a vehicle breakdown at Nachlana.
The Traffic Police said passenger vehicles, private cars and permitted goods carriers would be allowed to ply on the highway in both directions on Saturday, subject to favourable weather and improved road conditions. Security force convoys would also be permitted after confirmation of the highway’s status.
Commuters have been advised to travel during daytime and avoid night journeys due to the risk of shooting stones and landslides, particularly along the Ramban-Banihal stretch, where construction work is underway.
The movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers carrying inflammable material will remain restricted between 7 am and 7 pm on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch due to widening work. Up-bound tankers will be allowed beyond Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am.
The MeT department has forecast generally dry weather from November 15 to 21, although cloudy conditions may develop on November 20 and 21. Dry conditions are likely to continue from November 22 to 24.
Farmers have been advised to resume agricultural operations from November 15. Travellers and transporters have also been urged to check road conditions with the respective Traffic Control Units before starting their journeys. (KNO)
