Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Jan 19: Minimum temperatures across most parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh rose on Monday compared to the previous day, bringing partial relief from the intense cold conditions that prevailed on Sunday, even as higher reaches received fresh snowfall.
According to the details, several higher reaches of the Valley, including Gulmarg and Razdan Pass, received fresh snowfall, while snow was continuing in many hilly areas of north Kashmir at the time of filing this report.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, a sharp rise from Sunday’s minus 4.7 degrees Celsius.
Similar trends were observed across several districts. Qazigund settled at minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, up from minus 4.8 degrees, while Pahalgam recorded minus 1.8 degrees Celsius compared to minus 6.0 degrees a day earlier.
Pulwama, which had recorded minus 6.1 degrees Celsius on Sunday, saw a significant increase to minus 5.1 degrees Celsius, while Shopian rose from minus 6.7 degrees to minus 4.7 degrees.
Gulmarg registered a minimum of minus 3.5 degrees Celsius, up from minus 5.6 degrees, while Sonamarg remained the coldest place in the Valley at minus 8.3 degrees Celsius, slightly higher than Sunday’s minus 8.9 degrees.
Srinagar Airport recorded a minimum of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius against minus 5.4 degrees the previous day. Pampore, Awantipora and Anantnag also witnessed a rise of around 1 to 2 degrees Celsius compared to Sunday.
In the Jammu region, minimum temperatures also showed an upward trend in most areas. Jammu city recorded 7.3 degrees Celsius, up from 5.5 degrees, while Jammu Airport settled at 8.2 degrees Celsius compared to 5.7 degrees on Sunday.
Banihal recorded a minimum of 0.7 degrees Celsius, rising from minus 2.4 degrees a day earlier.
Rajouri and Samba, which had dipped below freezing on Sunday, recorded minimum temperatures of 1.8 degrees Celsius and 1.2 degrees Celsius, respectively. Bhaderwah, however, continued to remain below freezing at minus 0.5 degrees Celsius.
In Ladakh, Leh recorded a minimum of minus 8.0 degrees Celsius, marginally higher than Sunday’s minus 8.2 degrees, while Hanle witnessed a sharp drop, recording minus 14.5 degrees Celsius compared to minus 10.9 degrees a day earlier.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Centre Srinagar has issued a weather advisory warning that two Western Disturbances are likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining areas between January 22 and 28, bringing widespread light to moderate rain and snowfall, with heavy precipitation at isolated places.
According to the advisory, the first system is expected to impact the region from January 22 to 24, with peak activity on January 23, while the second system is likely from the night of January 26 till the forenoon of January 28, with peak activity on January 27.
The Met office said heavy rain or snowfall is likely over the Pir Panjal range, including the Chenab valley in Jammu division and middle and higher reaches of south Kashmir, which may lead to disruption of surface and air transport, including the Jammu–Srinagar national highway.
It also warned of the possibility of landslides, mudslides and gusty winds at vulnerable locations and advised travellers to plan accordingly, people in snow-bound areas to avoid avalanche-prone slopes, and farmers to suspend irrigation and spraying activities during the period.
