Shadow Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 06:
Light snowfall was recorded in a few areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir, causing night temperatures to drop and bringing back cold conditions to the region, officials said on Tuesday.
Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district was the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday night with a minimum temperature of minus 8.6 degrees Celsius, they said. Under the influence of a feeble western disturbance, there was light snowfall in a few areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir, including the Mughal Road and the upper areas of Ganderbal, on Monday night, the officials said.
They said the minimum temperatures at most places in Kashmir dipped last night.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 4 degrees Celsius, a slight drop from minus 3.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday night.
In south Kashmir’s tourist resort of Pahalgam, the mercury settled at a low of minus 6.8 degrees Celsius. Qazigund, the gateway town of the valley, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3 degrees Celsius.
Cold Conditions Return
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 2 degrees Celsius and Kupwara minus 3.1 degrees Celsius.
The region is currently in the midst of ‘Chilla-e-Kalan’, a 40-day period of extreme cold, during which night temperatures often drop several degrees below the freezing point and chances of snowfall are the highest.
The plains of the valley have not received any snowfall so far this season.
The India Meteorological Department has said there is a possibility of light snow over isolated higher reaches of north and central Kashmir during the day.
After that, the weather is likely to remain dry but cloudy till January 20.
Meanwhile, The historic Mughal Road continues to remain closed for vehicular traffic following overnight snowfall in the higher reaches, officials said on Tuesday. The closure comes amid renewed winter activity that has led to significant snow accumulation along the vital inter-district road connecting south Kashmir with the Pir Panjal region.
According to officials, nearly four inches of fresh snow has accumulated on various stretches of the Mughal Road during the latest spell, making the surface unsafe for movement. The snowfall has further aggravated already challenging winter conditions in the area, leading to continuous blockage of traffic.
Teams of the Border Roads Organisation have been deployed and snow clearance operations are currently underway. Heavy machinery has been pressed into service to remove snow and restore connectivity, but officials said that it will take some time before the road is declared fit for traffic.
Authorities have advised locals and commuters to avoid attempting travel on the Mughal Road until clearance work is fully completed and an official clearance order is issued. The road is prone to frequent closures during winter due to heavy snowfall and avalanches, and reopening depends largely on weather conditions.
Officials said continuous monitoring is being carried out and further updates will be shared once the situation improves and traffic movement becomes possible.
