(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)
KO File Photo: Abid Bhat
Srinagar- The meteorological department on Thursday revised its earlier forecast by now predicting widespread moderate rain and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir this weekend.
“An Active Western Disturbance is Most likely to cause Widespread Moderate Rain/Snow in J&K during 22-23rd Jan,” an official of the meteorological department here said, adding, that the weather system may temporary cause disruptions in surface and air transportation.“(Probability of Occurrence as of today is 75%),” he said.
Meanwhile, the minimum temperature dropped slightly in most parts of Kashmir where the tourist resorts of Gulmarg and Pahalgam received fresh snowfall, officials said.
The minimum temperature in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, settled at a low of 2.2 degrees Celsius half-a- degree down from the previous night, they said.
Gulmarg, the famous skiing resort in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 5. degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district recorded a low of minus 0.6 degrees Celsius, up from the previous night's minus 1.9 degrees Celsius, they said.
The officials said Qazigund recorded a minimum of 0.7 degrees Celsius, while the nearby south Kashmir town of Kokernag recorded a low of minus 0.1 degrees Celsius.
The minimum in Kupwara in north Kashmir settled at a low of 1.2 degrees Celsius.
The MET Office has said the weather will remain partly to generally cloudy in J-K with the possibility of a spell of light rain or snow during January 22-23.
Thereafter, the weather is likely to stay mainly dry till the end of the month and there is no forecast of any major rain or snow till the end of January, it said.
Kashmir valley is currently under the grip of the 40-day harshest winter period known as 'Chilla-i-Kalan' which began on December 21 last year.
'Chilla-i-Kalan' is a period when a cold wave grips the region and the temperature drops considerably leading to the freezing of water bodies including the famous Dal Lake here as well as the water supply lines in several parts of the valley.
The chances of snowfall are the most frequent and maximum during this period and most areas, especially in the higher reaches, receive heavy to very heavy snowfall.
The 'Chilla-i-Kalan' will end on January 31.
Jammu to Srinagar Traffic Today
Meanwhile officials here said Jammu-Srinagar highway shall remain open for only one-way traffic on Friday.
“On (Friday), subject to fair weather and better road conditions LMVs (Passenger)/private cars shall be allowed from Jammu towards Srinagar (strictly one way) on Jammu-Srinagar highway,” a traffic department official here. TCU Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic, he said.
He said cut off for LMVs and private cars from Nagrota (Jammu) is 0800 hours to 1200 hours and from Jakheni (Udhampur) at 900 hours to 1300 hours.“No Vehicle shall be allowed before and after cut off timings,” he said.
Regarding HMVs and load carriers, he said, they shall be allowed to move from Jakheni (Udhampur) towards Srinagar after the tail of LMVs cross Jakheni (Udhampur).
Meanwhile, Mughal Road, connecting Shopian with Poonch and Rajouri districts, remained closed for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation at Peer Ki Gali.
Also, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road remained shut for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation on Zoji la axis and has been closed till further orders. Kishtwar-Sinthan road also remained closed in view of snow accumulation, the traffic department official said. (With PTI inputs)
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