SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Dec 21: The 40-day harsh winter period in Kashmir Chille-i-Kalan today began on a positive note with rains lashing the Valley and hills of Kashmir receiving snowfall, ending dry spell in the region, while mountainous areas of Jammu region received fresh snowfall and rain of the season, leading to small rise in night temperatures.
The flight operations at Srinagar and Jammu Airports were badly hit due to adverse weather conditions, leading to the cancellation of 15 flights in Srinagar and eight in Jammu today. The winter capital city continues to be under the thick blanket of fog for the last 4-5 days, affecting flight and train operation.
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An official at Srinagar Airport said that around 15 flights arrivals and departures were cancelled due to bad weather at Srinagar. Poor visibility and unfavorable weather conditions severely affected flight movements till afternoon, the official said.
He said the ongoing spell of bad weather caused widespread inconvenience to passengers, many of whom were stranded at the airport. Travellers have been advised to remain in close contact with their respective airlines for real-time updates before proceeding to the airport.Director Airport Authority, Jammu, S K Garg said that eight flights were cancelled and four delayed at Jammu Airport today in view of dense fog and poor visibility. He said three Srinagar bound Indigo and one Srinagar bound Air India flights were cancelled at Jammu Airport besides three others Delhi and Indore bound flights. Three Indigo and one Air India flights were delayed at Jammu station.
In view of the bad weather, the helicopter service to Mata Vashnodevi from base camp Katra was also affected. However, battery car operated normally and on-foot pilgrimage continued unaffected.
Srinagar and other parts of the Valley were lashed by rains while hills received several inches of snowfall. The snowfall led to closure of Sinthan road connecting Anantnag with Kishtwar, Mughal Road connecting Kashmir valley with Rajouri-Poonch, Srinagar-Leh highway and Srinagar-Gurez road at Razdhan Top. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was, however, operational despite light rain in Ramban and Banihal areas.
The Weatherman forecast more rain and snowfall over the next 48 hours, particularly over higher altitudes with light rain for the Valley. Cold wave conditions are expected to persist across the region during the period.
The snowfall and rains pushed up the minimum temperature in Kashmir with Srinagar recording its warmest night and coldest day of this season.
At 4 degrees Celsius, the minimum temperature in Srinagar was six notches above normal. Gulmarg was the only place in the region to record a sub-zero temperature as the mercury settled at minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, 5 degrees above normal for this time of the year.
Pahalgam recorded minimum temperatures with 2.8 degrees Celsius which is 7.3 degrees Celsius above normal. Kupwara recorded 3.8 degrees Celsius which is 6.5 degrees Celsius above normal.
At 6 degrees Celsius, the maximum temperature in Srinagar was 3.4 notches below normal. Gulmarg settled at 3.4 degrees Celsius, 1.4 degrees below normal for this time of the year.
Pahalgam recorded maximum temperatures of 5.6 degrees Celsius which is 2.0 degrees Celsius below normal. Kupwara recorded 5.2 degrees Celsius which is 4.2 degrees Celsius below normal.
The winter capital Jammu also witnessed slight rise in temperature as compared to yesterday. The Temple city recorded a minimum temperature of 11.5 degrees Celsius and maximum 17.0 on Sunday.
Bhaderwah town recorded a maximum temperature of 13.7 deg C and minimum 5.8 deg, Katra town a maximum temperature of 19 deg C and minimum 11.6 deg C, Batote minimum 7 deg C and Banihal a minimum temperature of 6 deg C on Sunday.
The higher reaches of Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban. Poonch and Rajouri also received season’s snowfall since last night. The fresh snowfall has also blocked Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah road at Chattergalla. Guldanda tourist spot and Paddri in Bhaderwah also received moderate snowfall. Several springs and streams including Neel Ganga in the higher reaches of Bhaderwah have reached freezing point. Icicles have been formed at several points, thus attracting tourists.
Authorities have advised people to exercise caution while travelling, especially on mountain roads and snow-prone routes, as freezing temperatures and snowfall could lead to slippery conditions and disruptions.
Chille-i-Kalan, considered the coldest phase of the Kashmiri winter, lasts for 40 days and is known for intense cold, frequent snowfall and freezing nights. It is followed by two relatively milder phases — Chille-i-Khurd and Chille-i-Bacha.
The onset of Chille-i-Kalan marked a shift in weather after several weeks of stagnant atmospheric conditions that had resulted in dense fog, smog and declining air quality, particularly in urban areas.
The precipitation led to improved visibility and a noticeable improvement in air quality.
A Meteorological department official said the rainfall and snowfall helped disperse accumulated pollutants, easing smog conditions that had persisted due to dry weather and low wind speed. “The recent precipitation has contributed to better air quality by clearing suspended particles,” he added.
In view of continuous snowfall and prevailing weather conditions, authorities have strictly enforced traffic restrictions on the Tangmarg–Gulmarg Road to ensure public safety.
“Heavy vehicles and vehicles without anti-skid chains are not being allowed to ply on the Tangmarg–Gulmarg Road with the onset of rain and snowfall.
Police officers are actively deployed at the Tangmarg TCP naka, where vehicles are being physically checked. Only those vehicles fitted with anti-skid chains are being permitted to proceed towards Gulmarg.
An official said that the Gulmarg Road, including the Tangmarg–Gulmarg stretch, has been cleared, and snow clearance operations are going on continuously using snow cutters to keep the road functional amid fresh snowfall.
However, as per the advisory already issued, heavy vehicles have been completely barred from heading towards Gulmarg from today, especially in view of the heavy snowfall recorded in Gulmarg last night.
Authorities have appealed to commuters to cooperate with police and traffic personnel, follow the advisory strictly, and avoid unnecessary travel during adverse weather conditions.
Reports from Poonch said that traffic on the Mughal Road was suspended today due to light to moderate snowfall in the high-altitude Pir Ki Gali area.
The Mughal Road, which connects the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri with south Kashmir’s Shopian, was closed for traffic as a precautionary measure after more than three inches of snow was recorded at Peer Ki Gali this afternoon.
A group of three tea vendors were left stranded on the road at Pir Ki Gali. After they were trapped in the snow, the vendors made passionate appeals through video messages urging the authorities to rescue them. The Border Roads Organisation took up snow clearance work, reached the stranded persons and rescued them.
At Sinthan Top, there was heavy snowfall and the road connecting Kishtwar and Doda districts with south Kashmir’s Kokernag and Anantnag, was also closed early today. Both the mountainous roads usually remain closed for several months due to heavy snowfall during winter.
