Kargil freeze at minus 20, Srinagar records minus 6.2
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 20: Most parts of the world famous Dal Lake and other water bodies remained frozen on Sunday in the summer capital, Srinagar, where the minimum temperature was minus 6.2 degree while border town of Kargil in Union Territory (UT) freezes at minus 20 degree.
A Met department spokesman said that the sky would be mainly dry over Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
However, a fresh Western Disturbance (WD), originating in Arabian sea and entering the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan, is approaching which could result in very light snow at one or two places on upper reaches of North Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit and Baltistan. Weather will remain dry in Jammu division, he said.
He said intense cold wave continued in Srinagar, where the minimum temperature was minus 6.2 degree. Parts of the Dal Lake and other water remained frozen. Tapes were also frozen before sun came out and defreeze water. However, water in the interior parts and near Dal banks remained frozen.
Sunday market in Srinagar also witnessed heavy rush as people were seen purchasing warm and woolen cloths besides blankets, shawls and shoes. The Hareesa shops (special dish for winter) also witnessed rush in the morning despite below freezing temperature.
He said the sky would be generally cloudy to very light rain or snow in Srinagar and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around7 degree and minus 2 degree respectively during the next 24 hours.
Famed ski resort of Gulmarg and health resort of Pahalgam witnessed some improvement in the minimum temperature though it was still below normal. It was minus 7.5 degree at Gulmarg and minus 7.7 degree at Pahalgam.
Qazigund, gateway of Kashmir, recorded minus 5.7 degree minimum temperature, Kupwara minus 5.6 degree and Kokernag minus 5.3 degree.
The border town of Drass in Ladakh UT was coldest at minus 29 degree minimum temperature while at Kargil it was minus 20 degree and Leh minus 15 degree.

Srinagar, Dec 20: Traffic was on Sunday resumed after remaining suspended due to landslides on Saturday evening on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only all weather road connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the country.
Meanwhile, large number of vehicles remained stranded on both sides of the Zojila pass following closure of the national highway, the only road linking Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh with Kashmir, due to accumulation of snow and slippery road conditions.
The historic 86-km-long Mughal road also remained closed due to accumulation of snow which has now frozen resulting in slippery conditions, a traffic police official told UNI today.
He said thousands of vehicles got stranded following landslides at Chanderkote on Srinagar-Jammu national highway on Saturday evening. However, the National Authority of India (NHAI) put into service men and machine to clear the landslides which also damaged several trucks.
He said after working throughout the night, the landslide clearance operation was completed this morning and one-way traffic was resumed at Chanderkote on the highway. Stranded vehicles, mostly Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) are being cleared in the area, he said adding fresh vehicles will be allowed only after receiving green signal from the NHAI and traffic police officials posted there.
He said as per original schedule Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) were to ply from Jammu to Srinagar on Sunday. However, Jammu bound HMVs stranded between Levdoora to Banihal will also be allowed to move, he said adding security forces are also advised to ply from Srinagar to Jammu.
Meanwhile, hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on the Srinagar-Leh national highway on both sides of the Zojila pass, where men from Beacon are working to remove the frozen snow, official sources said.
Due to below minus 15 degree minimum temperature and sub zero maximum temperature, snow at Zojia pass had frozen, sources told UNI adding continued strong icy winds also hamper snow clearance operation. Large number of vehicles from different parts of the Ladakh region are stranded at Sonamarg and other areas in the central Kashmir district of Ganderbal. Similarly, Kashmir bound vehicles have been stopped at different places on other side of the Zojila in Kargil district. Hectic efforts are going on to clear the snow by using sophisticated machines, salt and urea so that stranded vehicles are allowed to move towards their respective destinations before the highway is declared closed for winter months.
The Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region also remained closed due to accumulation of snow, sources said adding there is very little chance of reopening of the road which is seen as alternative to Srinagar-Jammu highway. The road which was this summer used for transportation of fresh fruit from Kashmir to other parts of the country, remained closed during winter months due to heavy snowfall.

Retreat after locals stage protests
Leh, Dec 20: In another incident of Chinese intrusion, two Chinese vehicles carrying Chinese citizens crossed the Indian border and entered Changthang area of Nyoma block in Leh district.
The Chinese reportedly raised objections to the local nomads allowing their livestock to graze in the area, but after strong protests by local authorities and other nomads, the went back.
Nyoma Councillor Ishey Spalzang, who represents the constituency in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, said the incident reportedly occurred four-five days back.
He said for about three years local nomads have not been taking their livestock to Kakjung area for grazing due to varied reasons but this year some local nomads had put up tent there.
“After a tent was put up near the border, locals across the border started objecting to it. The Chinese said they will face problems in letting their livestock graze in the area. They threatened our nomads who retreated from the area and communicated the incident to local authorities and other locals,” Ishey said.
A video which has gone viral on social media shows Chinese vehicles entering the Indian territory and rushing back after strong protests were staged by the sub-district magistrate and other locals. (Agencies)