Jammu: Fresh snowfall in higher reaches and widespread rainfall in the plains intensified winter chill across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, bringing down temperatures and disrupting traffic on several key mountain roads.
Gulmarg recorded the season’s lowest temperature at minus 0.5 degrees Celsius, while fresh snowfall of 2-6 inches was reported from the popular ski resort. The weather conditions also led to the closure of the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road and the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) road.
According to rainfall data, Baramulla received the highest precipitation at 49.5 mm during the past 24 hours, followed by Gulmarg with 40.6 mm and Kupwara with 37.3 mm. Pahalgam recorded 22.4 mm, Srinagar 16.3 mm, Batote 16.1 mm, Bhaderwah 15.3 mm, Banihal 10.5 mm, Kokernag 6.4 mm and Qazigund 5.8 mm.
As per the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, the summer capital recorded a maximum temperature of 15.2 degrees Celsius, 0.7 degrees below normal, while the minimum settled at 6.2 degrees Celsius, 4.9 degrees above the seasonal average.
Gulmarg recorded a maximum of 6.2 degrees Celsius and a minimum of minus 0.5 degrees Celsius. In Pahalgam, the maximum temperature was 14.1 degrees Celsius, while the minimum settled at 4 degrees Celsius.
Kupwara recorded a maximum of 10.3 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 4 degrees Celsius, while Qazigund registered 13.4 and 6.4 degrees Celsius, respectively. Kokernag recorded a maximum of 14 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 5.2 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 28 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 16.3 degrees Celsius. Banihal registered a maximum of 25.5 degrees Celsius, while Bhaderwah recorded 15.3 degrees Celsius.
The fresh snowfall led to the suspension of vehicular movement on the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244) due to snow accumulation, while the SSG road was closed following fresh snowfall along the Zojila axis.
The Traffic Police announced that the Mughal Road (NH-701A), connecting Poonch and Shopian districts, is scheduled to reopen for traffic from both sides on Saturday, subject to favourable weather, road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agency, GREF.
Light motor vehicles, followed by heavy motor vehicles of up to 10 tyres, will be allowed to ply until 6 pm. No vehicle will be permitted beyond the prescribed cut-off time.
Meanwhile, traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained very slow during the past 24 hours due to single-lane stretches, uneven road surfaces at Dawal in Udhampur and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, besides a vehicle breakdown at Nachlana.
Traffic was regulated at Dawal, where a stretch of around 30-40 metres has been reduced to a single lane.
For Saturday, passenger light motor vehicles, private cars and goods carriers, including heavy motor vehicles and other permitted vehicles, will be allowed to ply on NH-44 in both directions, subject to favourable weather and improved road conditions. Security forces’ convoys will also be permitted to move in both directions after confirmation of the highway’s status from the Traffic Control Unit, Ramban.
The Traffic Police have advised commuters to undertake journeys during daylight hours and avoid night travel due to the risk of shooting stones and landslides, besides ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
In view of widening work on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch, the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers carrying inflammable material will remain restricted between 7 am and 7 pm, as such vehicles are not permitted through tunnels. Up-bound tankers will be allowed beyond Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am.
Goods carriers transporting fresh perishable items and livestock have been advised to plan their journeys according to traffic advisories. Heavy vehicle operators have also been asked to avoid overloading, ensure vehicle fitness and carry sufficient fuel.
Commuters have been advised against unnecessary stoppages between Ramban and Banihal, particularly in landslide- and shooting stone-prone areas, and to confirm road conditions with the respective Traffic Control Units before starting their journeys.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Centre has forecast brief spells of light rain at scattered places and light snowfall over higher reaches towards late afternoon on November 13 and 14.
The weather is expected to remain generally dry from November 15 to 21, although cloudy conditions may develop on November 20 and 21. Dry weather is also likely to continue from November 22 to 24.
The MeT department has advised farmers to resume agricultural operations from November 15 onwards, while travellers and transporters have been asked to remain updated about weather and road conditions, particularly while travelling through higher reaches and mountain passes.
Officers told to stock essentials, commence winter flights by Dec 1
Srinagar: With winter setting in and fresh snowfall reported in higher reaches, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Friday directed all departments to complete preparedness measures in advance to ensure uninterrupted essential services across the Valley.
Chairing a review meeting, Garg assessed arrangements for snow clearance, electricity supply, healthcare, drinking water, essential commodities and emergency transportation, stressing coordinated efforts and prompt response during the winter months.
Reviewing snow clearance plans, he directed agencies to clearly demarcate responsibilities, ensure prompt clearance of roads and optimally utilise available machinery and manpower. He also called for completion of pending contracts to strengthen the snow clearance mechanism.
On electricity supply, the meeting was informed that average winter demand in Kashmir stands at around 1,700 MW against an average supply of 1,300 MW, while peak demand touches 2,400 MW.
Garg directed authorities to augment capacity wherever required, complete tree-trimming operations, adhere to scheduled power curtailment timings and ensure prompt repair of damaged transformers. He also reviewed buffer stocks of transformers, transformer oil and DG sets in Gurez.
To prevent shortages in remote and snowbound areas, including Gurez and the Karnah-Machil-Keran belt, the Food and Civil Supplies Department was directed to complete advance stocking of LPG cylinders, petroleum products, rice and wheat within one week.
The Divisional Commissioner also directed the Civil Aviation Department to operationalise winter air sorties in Bandipora and Kupwara by December 1 to facilitate emergency transportation from inaccessible areas.
Reviewing healthcare preparedness, he stressed adequate heating arrangements in hospitals, availability of essential medicines and deployment of medical staff in far-flung areas. The National Health Mission was directed to provide four-wheel-drive ambulances to the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir for distribution among districts.
The Jal Shakti Department was asked to ensure uninterrupted water supply, including through lift water supply schemes, and maintain adequate arrangements for water tankers. The Forest Department was directed to ensure sufficient firewood stocks at depots.
For effective emergency response, Garg directed all district administrations and departments to keep control rooms, including the Integrated Command and Control Centre, operational round the clock and appoint nodal officers for coordination.
He also called for timely dissemination of weather and avalanche advisories and directed the Srinagar Municipal Commissioner to identify waterlogging hotspots and deploy adequate dewatering pumps.
Deputy Commissioners briefed the meeting on district-level preparations and issues requiring intervention. Garg stressed that all arrangements must be completed well in advance to minimise public inconvenience during winter.
