Sun plays hide and seek as dense fog grips Jammu
Shadow Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 2:
Fresh snowfall occurred in the Kashmir Valley on Thursday as the cold wave continued unabated across J&K.
The Meteorological Department has forecast more rain/snow because of two back-to-back Western Disturbances (WDs) passing over J&K.
A MET department statement said, “Because of a feeble WD, generally cloudy weather with light snowfall at scattered places is likely to occur on January 2. On January 3, generally cloudy weather with light snow is expected at isolated higher reaches of J&K.”
“On January 4-6th, due to moderate to strong WD, generally cloudy weather with light to moderate rain in plains of Jammu and snow at most places of J&K with peak activity during January 4th night to 5th late night with improvement from 6th late afternoon,” it said.
The weather department has forecast generally dry cloudy weather from January 7-10.
In view of fresh snowfall, sub-freezing temperatures and icy conditions over roads (plains/higher reaches), tourists/travellers/transporters are advised to plan accordingly and follow Admin/Traffic advisory, it said.
It has predicted heavy snow at isolated higher reaches during January 4 to 6.
Srinagar recorded minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg minus 8.6 degrees Celsius and Pahalgam minus 4 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperatures on Thursday.
Jammu city registered 7.4 degrees Celsius, Katra town 9 degrees Celsius, Batote 4.6 degrees Celsius, Banihal 2.9 degrees Celsius and Bhaderwah 1.6 degrees Celsius as the night’s lowest temperature.
The 40-day-long period of intense winter cold called the ‘Chillai Kalan’ started on December 21 and will end on January 30.
Most lakes and other water bodies are presently frozen partially in the Valley.
Doctors have advised people not to expose themselves to long periods of cold. Children and elderly people have been especially warned to guard themselves against cold which constricts blood vessels resulting in myocardial infarction.
“This is responsible for heart attacks and heart failures globally in countries with cold weather. The risk becomes very high if a
Fresh Snowfall lashes
patient has respiratory ailments,” they said. Meanwhile, The Mughal Road in Jammu and Kashmir has been closed for vehicular traffic for the fifth consecutive day on Thursday due to heavy snowfall in the higher reaches including Peer Ki Gali, officials said. The alternative route connecting Jammu’s Poonch and south Kashmir’s Shopian district was shut on December 29 following heavy snowfall.
The link road is closed for vehicular traffic and there has been fresh snowfall in the area as well, they said.
There is heavy snow accumulation from Dubjan to Peer Ki Gali, a distance of 45 kilometres, they said.
The men and machines are working to clear the road link of snow and make it trafficable, they added.
Normal life was thrown out of gear, and the sun played hide-and-seek as a dense blanket of fog gripped the Jammu region on Thursday.
“The foggy weather conditions prevailed for the last two days and on Thursday morning a thick blanket of fog covered the Jammu city and outskirts,” said a MeT official adding that the sun played hide and seek while foggy and chilly conditions disrupted normal life.
“Due to fog, air and rail traffic was also partially hit,” he said.
However, the weatherman said that on Friday, the weather will remain generally cloudy with light snow at isolated higher reaches. From January 4 to 6, there will be moderate to strong Western Disturbance with generally cloudy, light to moderate rain in the plains of Jammu and snow at most places of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, he said it would be generally cloudy with dry weather from January 7 to 10 and light snow at isolated places from January 11 to 12.
The educational institutions including schools are closed in Jammu due to winter vacations while parents have appealed to the administration to extend the vacations because of harsh weather conditions.
