J&K braces for another moderate to heavy snowfall in first week of Jan

113

2 WDs to affect UT from Jan 1, barring Sgr, Kupwara, mercury plummets in Kashmir parts

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is all set to experience a moderate snowfall in the first week of New Year as two back-to-back Western Disturbances would likely affect the Union Territory from January 3 to 6, the weatherman said on Monday.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the fresh Western Disturbances would affect J&K after the moderate to heavy snowfall in the parts of Jammu and Kashmir on last Friday, which brought the life to standstill in the Union Territory due to the closure of all the major roads and also the suspension of the flight operations for two straight days.

Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told KNO that the two WDs are set to affect J&K and adjoining areas from January 01 onwards.

According to the forecast, Ahmad said that on January 1st & 2nd, a feeble WD would affect J&K and under its influence, generally cloudy weather is expected with possibility of light Snow at scattered places during 1st evening or night to 2nd morning.

He added that from January 3-6, a moderate WD would affect J&K and under its influence, generally cloudy weather is expected with possibility of light to moderate rain in plains of Jammu and snow at many places of J&K with peak activity on 4th & 5th January.

Meanwhile, in its advisory, the weatherman has predicted cold wave at isolated places till tomorrow.

“In view of snowfall, sub-freezing temp & icy conditions over roads plains and higher reaches, the tourists, travelers and transporters are advised to follow administration and traffic advisory,” it reads, adding that there is a possibility of heavy snow at isolated higher reaches during January 4th & 5th.

Furthermore, after the fresh snowfall, the night temperature continued to settle above the normal temperature in Srinagar and Kupwara. Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, as per the details recorded a minimum temperature of minus 0.9 degree while Kupwara recorded a minimum temperature of 0.1 degree.

However, the Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, recorded a low of minus 10.0 degree Celsius while Pahalgam, a famous tourist destination recorded a minimum temperature of minus 9.2 degree Celsius. Qazigund, a gateway of Kashmir, has recorded a low of minus 2.8 degree Celsius while Kokernag in South Kashmir recorded minus 2.1 degree Celsius.