SRINAGAR While as night temperatures in most parts of Kashmir rose above freezing point amid forecast for rain and snow, the day temperatures dropped considerably across the Valley on Monday.
The summer capital of Srinagar recorded 8.4 degrees Celsius, two degrees below the normal level even as night temperature settled at 2.4 degrees Celsius.
A meteorological department official told GNS that Gulmarg received snowfall equivalent to 3.8mm and it recorded maximum of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius and was the coldest place in Valley. The mercury settled at minus 6.0 degrees Celsius at the world famous skiing resort and was only place where mercury was below freezing level.
Qazigund, the gateway town of Srinagar recorded maximum of 6.0 degrees Celsius, 2.3 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam; 3.7 degrees Celsius in Kupwara and 7.0 degrees Celsius in Kokernag , an official of the Met department told GNS.
The weather office has predicted rain and snowfall at isolated places in the next 24 hours.
There is the possibility of fairly widespread light rain/snow in Kashmir region and scattered in Jammu and Ladakh region in 24-hours, the weatherman said, adding, There is possibility of widespread to fairly widespread rain/snow in subsequent two days.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan said that administration was fully prepared and ready to deal any kind of the eventuality.
The Divisional Commissioner made these remarks while addressing the media persons here on the sidelines of a function organized by JKSHRC.
He said that after receiving weather advisory from Indian Meteorological Centre, Rambagh keeping in mind the inclement weather conditions, Government had prepared a zone and location wise action and management plan across the Valley to prevent any kind of interruption in services due to the bad weather. Zonal teams from concerned departments have been constituted to meet any exigency during the inclement weather period. Joint control rooms have been set up in every zone that will be monitored by the main control room established at every Deputy Commissioners office to review daily operations. Men and Machinery are in ready to tackle any kind of eventuality. Essential Commodities and medicines were already stocked in far-flung and cut off areas.
People residing in far-flung and avalanche prone areas are advised to pay heed the weather advisories seriously, which are issued by the Divisional Commissioners office from time to time.
2 Highways, Mughal Road Closed
The Jammu-Srinagar highway was closed due to slippery surface conditions in Ramban district while Mughal road and Srinagar-Leh highway were closed following fresh snowfall on Monday.
Officials said that the Srinagar-Jammu thoroughfare was closed in the afternoon due to slippery road conditions in highway stretch in Ramban district. As a precautionary measure due to slippery road conditions, the Srinagar-Jammu highway was closed, the traffic officials said.
Meanwhile, following the fresh snowfall in the high altitude areas including Pir Ki Gali, District Administration Shopian closed Mughal road till further orders.
The Mughal road- connecting the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region with South Kashmirs Shopian district was closed early morning following fresh snowfall in the upper reaches like Pir ki Gali.
An official from district administration told that the road will remain closed till the snow clearance will be completed and after the improvement in the weather.
The Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Dr Owais Ahmad has appealed people to adhere to the directions and avoid attempting to ply on Mughal Road.
“If someone wants to travel they should first contact the district headquarters, control room established at mini-Secretariat Shopian,” he said.
In view of the inclement weather conditions and the resultant issues, for the benefit of the general public, the District Administration released the contact numbers for Grievance Redressal. The Helpline numbers are: 9419128895, 9596007111, 9596028060
The 434-kilometre Srinagar-Leh was also closed following snowfall early Monday morning. Officials said that no vehicles would be allowed on the thoroughfare till the road was made traffic worthy.
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