Kashmir Faces Coldwave Following Snowfall Pause, MeT Predicts Dry Spell For Next 5 Days

As snowfall stopped in Kashmir Valley today, after some delay the valley was reconnected with the rest of the country by land, rail, and air.

Snowfall in Srinagar

Source : PTI Images

Following the cessation of snowfall in the Kashmir Valley, normal land, rail, and air connectivity with the rest of the country were restored today, albeit with some delays in morning flights to Srinagar. The Jammu-Srinagar highway is now open for one-way traffic after being cleared of snow.

However, residents in Anantnag, Kulgam, Bandipur, Budgam, and Baramulla districts continue to face challenges due to heavy snowfall in the upper reaches of Kupwara. Road connectivity in these areas has been severely impacted, prompting ongoing efforts for complete restoration, as mentioned by Kupwara District Development Commissioner Ayushi Sudan.

Kupwara District Development Commissioner Ayushi Sudan said road connectivity has been severely affected due to heavy snowfall and efforts are on to restore it completely.

"Snow has been cleared from major highways, but due to avalanche warnings in Keran, Tangdhar, and Machail areas, the decision on road clearance will be taken later." Helicopter services have been deployed in these areas for emergency evacuations if necessary.

In Machil, residents reported approximately 6 feet of snowfall, with electricity yet to be restored, and internal roads impeding movement. The upper reaches of Kupwara, including Keran, Machil, and Karnah, remain inaccessible for the fourth consecutive day.

Similar challenges are reported in upper areas of Baramulla, Bandipore, Budgam, Anantnag, and Kupwara. However, the Srinagar weather office provides some relief with the forecast indicating a dry spell for the next 5 days. Although cold wave conditions are expected to intensify due to dropping temperatures, heavy or major snowfall is not anticipated.

"Two western disturbances have caused rain/snow and the forecast for the next 5 days is that there will be no heavy or major snowfall. The weather will be generally dry but cold wave conditions will increase with the temperature drop," officials said.

Pahalgam was the coldest place in Kashmir as it recorded a minimum temperature of minus 11.9 degrees Celsius, 6 degrees Celsius below normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.

But at present, neither cold nor any other problem is having any effect on the tourists who have come to enjoy the snowfall, and the tourists are currently seen enjoying the winter of Kashmir amidst the snow.

Kashmir, which has been suffering from a drought-like situation for a long time, has received snowfall with a delay of two months. However, according to the Meteorological Department, this snow is still about 80 percent less than normal!