Bhaderwah witnesses increase in tourists
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 2: While the minimum temperatures dropped in Kashmir due to clear skies, as the Meteorological Department forecast largely dry weather over the next few days, dense fog continued to hit air, train and vehicular traffic in Jammu region.
Tourist resorts, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, and several higher reaches of Jammu including Bhaderwah received overnight snowfall on Wednesday night. Besides Gulmarg, Bhaderwah tourist spot in Doda district of Jammu region has also witnessed some rise in tourists.
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However, due to clear skies, the night temperature decreased at most places in the Valley, officials said.
They also said Srinagar — the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, witnessed a sunny morning.
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The summer capital Jammu and parts of plain areas of Samba and Kathua, besides adjoining Punjab experienced dense fog during morning hours. It badly hit air and train traffic.
An Airport official at Jammu said that nine flights were delayed today due to dense fog and poor visibility. As the weather improved after 11.15, all the 32 flights including arrivals and departures, operated from this airport on Friday.
A MeT official said that on Thursday night, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 0.1 degrees Celsius, down from the previous night’s 2.2 degrees Celsius.
The night temperature was 2.5 degrees Celsius above the normal for this time of year, they said.
Gulmarg today remained the coldest location in the region with the mercury settling at minus 7.0 degrees Celsius, 1.5 degrees below the previous night.
In south Kashmir, Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, a drop of several degrees from the previous night’s minus 0.4 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund, the gateway town of the valley, saw the mercury settle at minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag recorded a low of minus 0.5 degrees Celsius.
Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded the minimum of 0.8 degrees Celsius.
Winter capital Jammu recorded the day temperature of 14.2 deg C which is about 4 degrees below normal and a night temperature of 6 deg C.
Katra Mata Vaishnodevi recorded a minimum temperature of 6.5 deg C, tourist resort Bhaderwah recorded a minimum temp of 2.8 deg , Banihal minus 1.1, Batote 2. 6 deg C, Doda 2.3 deg, Reasi 6.1 deg , Rajouri 1.4 while Udhampur register 4.6 deg C tempetrature today.
A Railway spokesman said that several trains arrived late since early morning from their original schedule today. While two long route trains were late by three hours, about half a dozen trains were late by 25 minutes to 2 hours during last 24 hours. Vande Bharat Train was also late by 1.45 hrs and its departure was delayed by almost 1.50 hours.
The vehicular traffic was also badly affected during morning and evening hours today in Jammu and Its plain areas. The visibility was even less than 50 meters at several places.
The entire region has come under the grip of cold wage and there has been sharp decline in night temperature during past 48 hours.
There has been increase in the number of tourists at Guldanda and Padri areas of Bhaderwah during last 2-3 days after snowfall. Chattergalla pass between Bani and Bhaderwah has also been closed after snowfall.
Meanwhile, the Kashmir region is currently going through ‘Chilla-e-Kalan’, a 40-day period of extreme cold. During this phase, night temperatures typically drop several degrees below the freezing point. However, current readings show a departure from normal patterns.
During this period of extreme weather, the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum as well.
However, the plains of theValley have not received any snowfall so far this season.
The Meteorological Department has said the weather is likely to remain largely dry till January 5.
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