No respite from dry, cold weather conditions; Power scenario worsens, winter sports hit
Temperatures plummeted further in Kashmir last night, resulting in freezing of the Dal Lake and other water bodies. Srinagar froze at minus 5.1 degree Celsius during the night while on Monday the maximum temperature was recorded 11.5 degree Celsius, said a Meteorological Department official.
He said that light to moderate rainfall in plains and snowfall on higher reaches could occur on December 29 and December 30 at isolated places across the state.
Leh in Ladakh region experienced the coldest night of the season as the temperature plummeted to minus 13.9 degrees Celsius.
An official said that long dry spell is likely to affect level in water bodies, besides affecting horticulture and agriculture production. “Rains and snowfall are important during winter months. They control the temperature from going further down and give respite from the intense cold. The long dry spell is a concern,” said an official.
He said that chances of snowfall in plains and mountains during Chillai Kalaan are maximum and frequent. “The snowfall during this period lasts for long and becomes source of water flow in different water bodies during summer. That water flow meets the demands of people for drinking water and irrigation,” he informed.
Kashmir is already facing a major power crisis this winter, with Srinagar city worst-hit where unscheduled power cuts have grown severe over the past one month, giving tough time to people especially during mornings and evenings.
Reports said villages too are reeling under darkness as they are supplied with only a few hours of power.
The prevailing dry weather has however kept the 434-km Srinagar-Leh highway still open for traffic.
The highway connecting Srinagar and Ladakh usually remains closed from first week of December every year during winters due to heavy snowfall in the area, however this year the road is still open for traffic due to dry weather.
However, in view of the freezing temperature and slippery road conditions, the road is likely to be closed from January 1, 2017.
Chief Engineer Beacon, Brig A K Das, told Kashmir Post that the road can remain open till weather permits. “It is the administration who has to decide about the road closure,” the Chief Engineer said.
Winter Sports Hit:
In absence of adequate snowfall, winter sporting events are also likely to get affected at Ski resort of Gulmarg. To kick start the skiing activities in Gulmarg bowl requires around 1 to 2 feet of snow accumulation.
Muhammad Abbas Wani, MLA and President Winter Games Association of J&K, said that winter games could get deferred this season.
He informed that there are some games which don’t need snowfall while there are few others whose hosting depends on snowfall.
“The hosting of some events is always dependant on snow. We plan events keeping in view the snow conditions. It may get deferred,” Wani told Kashmir Post.
“This season the snowfall is little late. We have number of events in pipeline. The national events in Ice Hockey, Ice-Skating while as Winter Games Association J&K will also conduct four district level events in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Drass and Patnitop resorts of State,” he added.
He said that skiing courses that Department of Youth Service and Sports (DYSS), Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM) and various other organizations conduct may also get delayed due to late snowfall.
“Normally this time of the season IISM skiing coaching courses would have started but due to late snowfall it has not taken off yet. We have lot of events proposed to be started in January. But yes, the hosting of these events depends on snowfall,” he said.
He said that Tourism department’s annual snow carnival that features events like sledging, night skiing, ice-skating camp, ice-hockey and various other events is likely to be held in second week of January.
“The top level foreign skiers who visit Gulmarg for high attitude alpine skiing keep track of snow conditions through internet, friends and other modes of information. They plan their trips according to snow condition and updates,” he said.
