MeT forecasts improvement from Nov15
Traffic Police caution against night travel on NH-44 amid landslide risks
JAMMU TAWI, Nov 13: Fresh snowfall in the higher reaches and widespread rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir intensified cold conditions on Friday, forcing the closure of important mountain roads and disrupting vehicular movement on the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44).
Several parts of Kashmir witnessed a sharp decline in daytime temperatures as rain lashed the plains and fresh snow covered the upper reaches, particularly the popular tourist destination of Gulmarg, which received between two and six inches of snowfall.
The Meteorological Department has forecast further brief spells of light rain and snowfall at scattered places before generally dry weather returns from November 15.
According to meteorological data, Baramulla recorded the highest rainfall of 49.5 mm during the past 24 hours, followed by Gulmarg with 40.6 mm and Kupwara with 37.3 mm.
Pahalgam received 22.4 mm rainfall, while Srinagar recorded 16.3 mm, Batote 16.1 mm, Bhaderwah 15.3 mm, Banihal 10.5 mm, Kokernag 6.4 mm and Qazigund 5.8 mm.
Gulmarg emerged among the coldest places in the Valley, recording a maximum temperature of 6.2 degrees Celsius and a minimum of minus 0.5 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 15.2 degrees Celsius, slightly below normal, while its minimum settled at 6.2 degrees Celsius.
Kupwara experienced a particularly sharp decline in daytime temperature, recording a maximum of 10.3 degrees Celsius, 5.7 degrees below normal.
In contrast, Jammu city recorded a relatively warmer maximum temperature of 28 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 16.3 degrees Celsius.
Fresh snowfall forced authorities to suspend vehicular movement on the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244) and the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road.
Officials said the Kishtwar-Sinthan route was closed due to snow accumulation, while the SSG Road was shut following snowfall along the Zojila axis.
The closures affected connectivity through important mountain routes linking different parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, the Mughal Road, connecting Poonch and Shopian districts, is expected to remain open for traffic from both directions on Saturday, subject to favourable weather, road conditions and clearance from the maintenance agency.
Vehicular movement on NH-44 remained extremely slow due to damaged and uneven road stretches, single-lane sections and a vehicle breakdown.
Officials identified Dawal in Udhampur and the Marog-Kishtwari Pather stretch as major bottlenecks. Traffic was regulated at Dawal, where approximately 30 to 40 metres of the highway remained restricted to a single lane.
Subject to favourable conditions, passenger and goods vehicles will be permitted to move in both directions on Saturday.
Traffic Police have advised commuters to avoid night travel, particularly between Ramban and Banihal, due to the possibility of shooting stones, landslides and ongoing road construction.
Additional restrictions have been imposed on the daytime movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers along the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch.
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has predicted generally dry weather from November 15 to 21, although cloudy conditions may develop towards November 20 and 21.
Dry weather is also expected between November 22 and 24.
Farmers have been advised to resume agricultural operations from November 15, while travellers and transporters have been urged to check the latest road advisories before undertaking journeys through mountainous areas.