Srinagar/ Ramban, Jan 26: Kashmir remained under heavy cloud cover on Monday, even as another wet spell was forecast from the evening.
Residents across several parts of Kashmir reported biting cold winds, adding to the winter woes.
Officials at the Meteorological Department (MeT) said an approaching Western Disturbance was likely to bring rain and snowfall, accompanied by thunder and gusty winds in a few areas from Monday evening.
However, they said wind speeds would remain lower than those recorded last week.
Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected in high-altitude areas, while the plains may witness intermittent rain or snow.
The south Kashmir districts of Shopian and Kulgam are likely to receive a fresh spell of snowfall, with officials saying there are fair chances of moderate snow accumulation in several parts of these districts.
Snowfall in north and central Kashmir is expected to remain scant, though the Chenab Valley and the Qazigund-Banihal stretch may also receive snow.
According to MeT, light rain or snowfall is expected at a few places on Tuesday, while the weather is likely to remain dry but cloudy over the subsequent two days.
Authorities have advised travellers and transporters to ascertain the status of highways and roads from the concerned traffic units prior to undertaking any journey.
Meanwhile, night temperatures across Kashmir improved slightly on Monday due to overcast conditions.
Srinagar recorded a minimum of minus 0.1 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg, the skiing resort in north Kashmir, remained the coldest place at minus 9 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam in south Kashmir registered a low of minus 4.6 degrees Celsius, and other weather stations across the Valley hovered around minus 1 degree Celsius.
Residents said the persistent cold winds on Monday had intensified the chill.
ìThe cold winds are unbearable, especially in the mornings and evenings,î said Rafiq Ahmad, a resident of Srinagarís Jawahar Nagar area. ìIt feels like the chill is getting stronger every day, and going outside has become really difficult.î
Meanwhile, the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained partially open on Monday, allowing two-way movement of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs).
However, traffic flow was repeatedly disrupted due to vehicle breakdowns, frost formation, and slippery road conditions, particularly in the Ramsu-Banihal sector.
Officials said vehicular movement had to be temporarily suspended at several locations after vehicles began skidding on icy stretches, especially along the Kharpura to Railway Bypass stretch near Banihal, posing serious safety risks on Monday morning.
As a precautionary measure, traffic was halted at safer points, including Jakhiani, Chanderkote, Marog, and other designated locations on Monday morning for some time.
Road maintenance agencies were later directed to sprinkle salt and urea on affected stretches to improve the road and restore safe movement between Magarkote and the Banihal-Qazigund tunnel.
Traffic authorities later allowed movement of vehicles between Nashri and Banihal, though traffic remained slow due to persistent slippery conditions and multiple vehicle breakdowns between Ramban and Banihal.
Authorities reiterated their earlier advisory, urging commuters and light vehicle operators to prefer daytime travel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Night travel has been strongly discouraged due to the risk of shooting stones, landslides, and ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
Officials also warned that frost formation caused by recent snowfall along the Nachlana-Ramban stretch and near the Navyug Tunnel could further worsen road conditions and inconvenience commuters.
Motorists were advised to strictly follow lane discipline, avoid overtaking, and refrain from wrong-lane driving to prevent congestion.
Commuters and vehicle operators have been urged not to travel on the highway without confirming the latest road status from Traffic Control Units in Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, and Ramban.
Meanwhile, dark clouds were observed hovering across the Banihal-Udhampur region, raising concerns over further weather-related disruptions.
In an advisory issued for Tuesday, the J&K Traffic Department advised commuters to avoid travel on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on Tuesday night, as the MeT had forecast snowfall and rainfall over the next few days.
Authorities warned of a heightened risk of shooting stones and landslides along vulnerable stretches of the highway.
