JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Jan 10: Dense fog in jammu and many parts of northern region today hit train and air service, bringing down the temperature while Kashmir continued to be under the grip of cold conditions, with minimum temperature settling several degrees below the freezing point.
Not only during morning hours today, the Jammu and its adjoining areas were under the grip of dense fog during evening as well. The visibility was very poor even 50 – 100 mts at some places. At around 5 pm the thick clouds of dense fog were seen hovering over the city. It further brought down the temperature in the region. Jammu’s day temperature was almost equal to that of Bhaderwah and Batote today.
Amidst dense fog, the vehicles were seen using full dippers or keeping headlight of their vehicles on on the Temple City roads. Even the plain areas of Kathua and Samba districts were under the cover of dense fog, paralysing the normal life.
With the dense fog for the last couple of days in the region, a drop in the temperature has been experienced while there has been increase in the road accidents as well. The train and flights are arriving late and their departure has also been affected.
Director Airport Authority at Jammu, S K Garg said that several morning flights at Jammu Airport were delayed due to cover of dense fog over the Airport. He said two Indigo flights were cancelled while landing of the morning flights could be possible after 11.30 am as the weather improved.
A Railway spokesman said that due to fog in the northern region many trains are arriving late by two to seven hours at Jammu Railway Station. He said most of the trains have been cancelled for Jammu due to some urgent work at the station and a few due to fog and very delayed arrivals. Some of the trains have also been rescheduled, he added.
The operation of Interstate-bus service has also been affected besides normal traffic on the roads due to foggy conditions. Many buses are arriving late by two to three hours during morning hours from Delhi and other stations in the north.
A Meteorological Department official said that there is a possibility of light snowfall, especially in the higher reaches of J&K, from tomorrow. Due to clear sky, Kashmir continued to experience sub-zero night temperatures, with the minimum temperatures remaining several degrees below freezing.
The official said that most parts of Kashmir have been experiencing clear sky with bright sunshine during the day over the past few days, which contributed to the drop in night temperature.
The minimum temperature in Srinagar settled at minus 4.3 degrees Celsius, slightly up from the previous night’s minus 4.4 degrees.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 8.1 degrees Celsius, up from the previous night’s minus 9.6 degrees.
In Pahalgam, the minimum temperature settled at minus 10 degrees Celsius, up from minus 10.4 degrees the night before, according to the Weather office. Pahalgam was the coldest recorded place in the Valley.
Qazigund logged a low of minus 7.6 degrees Celsius, while Konibal in Pampore town also recorded a minimum temperature of minus 6.2 degrees. Kupwara recorded a minimum of minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag in south Kashmir saw the mercury settle at minus 5.7 degrees Celsius.
The day temperatures across Kashmir continued to be above normal as the days are sunny in Kashmir for the last few days.
Srinagar recorded maximum temperatures of 8.5 degrees Celsius, which is 1.9 degree Celsius above normal for this time of the year for the place.
Pahalgam recorded maximum temperatures of 6.6 degrees Celsius, which is 1.9 degree Celsius above normal for this time of the year for the place. Kupwara recorded maximum temperatures of 9.8 degrees Celsius, which is 2.8 degree Celsius above normal for this time of the year for the place.
Kokernag recorded maximum temperatures of 7.4 degrees Celsius, which is 2.4 degree Celsius above normal for this time of the year for the place.
Gulmarg recorded maximum temperatures of 5.5 degrees Celsius, which is 4.8 degree Celsius above normal for this time of the year for the place.
jammu today recorded a minimum temperature of 4.9 degrees Celsius and maximum 15.8 deg C against 18.8 deg C yesterday.
Bhaderwah town recorded a minimum temp of zero degree C and maximum 15.5 C, Batote town minimum 3.0 deg C and maximum 15.9 deg C, while Banihal town registered a minimum temperature of 4.9 deg and maximum 12.4 deg C today.
Holy township of Katra recorded a maximum temperature of 18.8 deg c while minimum 4.9 deg C today.
The MeT office has forecast the possibility of light rain/snow at isolated places on Saturday and Sunday.
Kashmir is currently in the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ – the harshest period of winter – which began on December 21. During the 40 days of ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ the chances of snowfall are the highest, and the temperature drops considerably. ‘Chillai-Kalan’ ends on January 29, followed by a 20-day ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day ‘Chillai-Bacha’ (baby cold).
