Srinagar, Dec 03: As Kashmir continues to reel under intense cold weather conditions, the Meteorological Department (MeT) on Saturday forecasted snowfall and rain  in the valley from 9-10th December. This was revealed by the Met officials on Saturday.  

Director  Meteorological department   Kashmir, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that they were expecting a two day wet spell in Kashmir which was likely to begin from 9th December.

“Starting from 9th December the weather will remain cloudy with possibility of light to moderate rain, snowfall over middle and higher reaches of J&K,” he said.

 

Lotus said that weather was mainly clear in Jammu & cloudy with Hazy in Kashmir. He said  dry weather with haze was likely to persist  till 8th December.

As per today's model analysis, Director MeT said there is possibility of light snow over plains and lower reaches, light to moderate snow over middle & higher reaches during 9th December (evening) to 10th December (evening).

For the past two weeks, Kashmir has been reeling under a cold wave as minimum temperatures hover around minus 4 to 5 degrees Celsius in some parts resulting in  freezing of water taps and some water bodies.

Summer capital of Srinagar recorded the season's coldest night at minus 2.2°C on Tuesday against the previous lowest of minus 2.1°C recorded on Nov 25.

"In coming days, there will be more drop in temperatures. Foggy weather conditions can affect the vehicular and air traffic in morning and evening hours,” met director said.

While dense fog continued to engulf many parts including the city as a consequence of which vehicles moved with headlights on during the morning and evening hours.

As per MeT data, several parts of Kashmir witnessed sub-zero temperatures on Saturday night resulting in partial freezing of water bodies, including Dal and Nigeen lakes. While tapes and water bodies remained frozen in most parts of the Valley.

As per MeT data, summer capital Srinagar reported 0.2 degrees Celsius as minimum and 12.2 °C as maximum temperatures.

 Health resort Pahalgam in south Kashmir settled at minus 2.8 °C degrees and it was the coldest place in the valley.

Ski-resort of Gulmarg recorded 8.0 °C maximum temperature and minus 2.0 C as the minimum temperature. Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded maximum temperatures of 13.2 °C, while minimum temperatures settled at minus 1.9°C.

In UT Ladakh Leh recorded a low of minus 5.5 °C while Kargil recorded minus 10.4 °C However, Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world, remained the coldest in the country at minus 12°C.

As per the traffic advisory for Sunday, there will be two-way traffic  on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, “Subject to fair weather better road condition, LMVs (Passenger) shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. TCU Jammu/Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic,” it said.

Similarly on Mughal road, LMVs from both sides and HMVs (upto twelve tyres) from Srinagar towards Poonch shall be allowed on Mughal road. LMVs from Behramgalla 0800 hrs upto 1500 hrs.,  from Herpora 0800 hrs upto 1600 hrs & HMVs from Herpora 0900 hrs. upto 1500 hrs, the advisory said.

On the Srinagar-Leh highway, the vehicular movement shall be allowed from Srinagar towards Kargil” the official said adding that it will be followed by HMVs. No vehicle will be allowed after cut-off timings, it said.