Srinagar: Kashmir Valley is likely to get relief from the intense cold wave conditions as the weather department predicted another spell of light to moderate snowfall in the valley and the upper reaches of Jammu division from Friday night.
According to a meteorological department official, light to moderate snowfall scattered to widespread, is expected in Jammu and Kashmir from Friday night.
The light snowfall, according to the official, will commence from north Kashmir and move south eastward towards central and south Kashmir and Jammu region, with main activity on Saturday. The weather, he said, will gradually improve from January 24 forenoon.
“Possibility of heavy snow at isolated places of Kashmir can’t be ruled out. This spell is lower in terms of intensity & magnitude than the previous spell of January 4-5,” he added.
Meanwhile, the minimum temperatures across the Valley increased marginally on Friday, even as they remained several notches below the freezing point, a MeT department official said here.
Srinagar city recorded a low of minus 6.1 degrees Celsius, nearly four notches below the normal for this time of the year. The city had recorded a minimum temperature of minus 7 degrees Celsius the previous night, the official said.
The minimum temperature in Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district was minus 6 degrees Celsius last night, up from minus 7.8 degrees Celsius the night before.
Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 7 degrees Celsius, up from minus 9.3 degrees Celsius the night before.
Qazigund recorded a minimum temperature of 6.2 degrees Celsius, the official said.
Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag in south recorded a low of minus 6.5 degrees Celsius.
Several water bodies in the Valley have frozen due to the intense cold.
A thick layer of ice on several roads in the city and elsewhere in the Valley makes it difficult for motorists to drive in the early hours. However, the situation improves later in the day as the Valley has been witnessing unusual winter sunshine.
Kashmir is currently in the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’, a 40-day period of harshest winter when a cold wave grips the region and the temperature drops considerably leading to the freezing of water bodies including the famous Dal Lake here and the water supply lines.
The chances of snowfall are the maximum during this period and most areas, especially in the higher reaches, receive heavy snowfall.
One Way Traffic On Highway Today
After remaining closed for traffic movement on Friday for maintenance on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, traffic authorities have decided to allow traffic from Jammu towards Srinagar on Saturday.
“The traffic will ply from Jammu towards Srinagar only, and no vehicle from opposite direction will be allowed to move,” Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Traffic T Namgyal said Friday.
A communiqué issued by Traffic Police Headquarters J&K, reads: “Tomorrow on 23-01-2021, subject to fair weather and better road condition, only one way traffic shall be allowed from Jammu towards Srinagar including Ramban-Banihal.”
Meanwhile, Mughal Road, the alternative road which connects the Valley to Jammu division through the Shopian-Rajouri continued to be closed for traffic due to heavy snowfall.
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