Jammu and Kashmir , Jan 13 : A spell of intense cold continued across Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday as clear night skies led to a further drop in temperatures, with Srinagar recording a minimum of minus 4.9 degrees Celsius.
In Jammu city, dense morning fog severely affected daily life, bringing both road and air traffic to a standstill due to extremely poor visibility. In the Kashmir Valley, biting cold winds sweeping down from surrounding mountains kept most residents indoors during the early hours.
With no major snowfall expected over the coming week, officials said the harsh winter conditions are likely to persist.
Among other locations, Gulmarg recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.5 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam was colder at minus 6.2 degrees Celsius. In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded 3.8 degrees Celsius, Katra 6.2, Batote 4.1, Banihal 8.9 and Bhaderwah minus 0.2 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorological Department has forecast partly to generally cloudy weather until January 18 and 19. Light rain or snowfall at isolated places is expected on January 20, followed by scattered light rain or snow between January 21 and 23. Partly cloudy conditions are likely to prevail from January 24 to 25.
According to the advisory, minimum temperatures are expected to rise gradually at many places. However, moderate fog over the plains of the Jammu division, with dense fog at isolated locations, is likely to continue for the next five days.
The prolonged cold and dry spell has raised serious concerns, particularly in the Kashmir Valley. Water bodies critical for agriculture, horticulture and drinking water depend heavily on snowfall during ‘Chillai Kalan’, the 40-day period of peak winter that ends on January 30.
With more than half of Chillai Kalan already over and no snowfall recorded so far in the Valley plains, experts have warned that snowfall later in February or March would be less effective, as it melts quickly and does not significantly replenish mountain water reserves.
