Srinagar, Jan 12: On Monday, Chillai Kalan loosened its grip on Kashmir slightly as minimum temperatures edged up by a few degrees, offering a modest respite from the cold wave, though residents gave mixed accounts of the change, with many saying the chill remained as harsh as before.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, up from minus 5.2 degrees Celsius a day earlier, while Qazigund improved to minus 3.6 degrees Celsius from minus 5.8 degrees Celsius.
South Kashmir locations, which bore the brunt of the cold on Sunday, also witnessed some relief, with Shopian rising to minus 5.2 degrees Celsius from minus 8.6 degrees Celsius and Pulwama to minus 6.5 degrees Celsius from minus 7.7 degrees Celsius.
Similar upward trends were recorded in north Kashmir, where Kupwara improved to minus 3.7 degrees Celsius from minus 5.6 degrees Celsius and Sopore to minus 4.3 degrees Celsius from minus 7.7 degrees Celsius.
Gulmarg, the ski resort, recorded a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius compared with minus 6.2 degrees Celsius the previous night.
Despite the increase, the change was unevenly felt.
“It felt slightly warmer this morning, especially after several harsh nights,” said a Srinagar resident.
He said that the chill was still intense during the early hours.
However, others said the difference was barely noticeable.
“For us, it felt almost the same. Water pipes are still frozen and mornings remain extremely cold,” said a shopkeeper in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Director Gulmarg Adventure Academy, Azhar Fayaz Lone said that people in the ski resort did not feel any relief from the cold conditions despite the night temperature raising by 3.2 degrees Celsius.
In some rural areas, residents said the cold continued to disrupt daily routines, forcing people to delay work until later in the day.
Meteorological officials said the rise in temperatures provided temporary respite but cautioned that cold conditions were likely to persist, with night temperatures continuing to hover below the freezing point across the region.
They said the weather is likely to remain dry till January 16.
M M Parvaiz reports from Ramban
The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open for two-way movement of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and heavy vehicles on Monday, officials said.
Traffic authorities informed that, subject to fair weather and favourable road conditions, the highway is expected to remain open for two-way traffic on Tuesday.
However, despite uninterrupted movement in both directions, vehicular flow remained slow at several stretches between Udhampur and Banihal due to single-lane road conditions.
Officials said congestion was particularly witnessed at Balli Nullah, Dewal, Nashri-Dalwas, Maroog, and Kishtwari Pather.
The situation was further aggravated by the breakdown of several heavy vehicles at different locations along the highway.
Traffic authorities regulating movement in Ramban district said that, notwithstanding the slow pace, hundreds of LMVs and heavy vehicles successfully crossed the Chenani-Nashri and Banihal-Qazigund tunnels till late Monday evening.
In a fresh traffic advisory, the Traffic Department announced that the highway would remain open for LMVs and heavy vehicles on Tuesday, subject to fair weather and good road conditions.
Commuters, particularly LMV operators and private car owners, have been advised to plan their journeys during daylight hours.
“Night travel should be avoided, as the movement of heavy vehicles between the Nashri and Navyug tunnels during late hours may cause inconvenience to commuters,” the advisory said.
Drivers have also been urged to maintain lane discipline, adhere to traffic regulations, and avoid overtaking or driving on the wrong side, which often leads to traffic jams and delays along the highway.
Traffic Police personnel, along with district police and highway patrol units, were deployed at major choke points to regulate traffic and ensure the safe passage of vehicles.
Authorities advised travellers to remain updated with the latest traffic advisories before commencing their journey.
Officials said that the Kishtwar-Sinthantop-Anantnag National Highway remained closed due to heavy accumulation of snow.
Meanwhile, authorities clarified that reports circulating on some media platforms regarding night travel banned on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway after breakdowns caused gridlock were false and misleading.
As of now, two-way traffic is moving smoothly and uninterrupted round the clock on the highway.
SSP Traffic, National Highway (Headquarters), Ramban, Raja Adil Hamid said that regular traffic advisories were being issued by the Traffic Police Headquarters J&K on a daily basis to keep people informed about the movement of vehicles on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the Mughal Road, and other major highways in the region.
People have been advised to rely only on official traffic updates and verified sources for accurate information and to avoid spreading unverified reports.
Sumit Bhargav reports from Rajouri
The Mughal Road was fully restored on Monday, bringing relief to commuters after remaining closed for seven consecutive days due to adverse conditions.
On Sunday, authorities had partially restored the road, allowing only those vehicles to cross that were stranded on either side during the closure.
The movement was regulated and limited in nature as a precautionary measure.
However, with improvement in road and weather conditions, normal traffic movement was allowed on Monday.
All categories of vehicles were permitted to ply on the Mughal Road, marking the complete restoration of connectivity between the twin regions.
Meanwhile, the Traffic Police issued fresh cut-off timings for vehicular movement on the road.
As per the advisory, vehicles would be allowed to proceed beyond the designated cut-off points only after 10 am and again after 2:30 pm.
Commuters have been advised to adhere strictly to the traffic schedule and follow the instructions of traffic personnel to ensure smooth and safe movement.
