weather forecast dominates life in Kashmir

Not any political development, but the weather forecast is dominating the life of valleyites this winter.

For the three consecutive summers of 2008, 2009 and 2010 which saw mass protests in the valley, protest calendars dictated the life of people. The calendars would announce the days for observance of strikes, protest and normal working days. People would plan their work, visit to relatives or shopping according to the calendar. The days of strikes, listed in the calendar, would mean no work or business while normal days were abuzz with activities of life. On normal days people would finish all their important works besides stocking their kitchens with essential items.

Protest calendars hogged the media headlines for months together. People would wait curiously for the issuance of calendar so that they could plan their activities.

Even as the summer of 2011 passed calmly without calendars, it is the weather forecast which is dictates the life in Kashmir now. Since the onset of chillai kalaan which is believed to be the coldest part of winter, people have been strictly following the weather forecast on newspapers, television channels and internet.

The interest in weather forecast grew with the recent snowfall experienced in the valley on January 4. The severe cold conditions and heavy snowfall restricted people within their house hold for days. The snapped electricity, communication, dearth of essential commodities and shortage of water resulting for severe cold conditions added misery to peoples’ lives. People are punctually following the weather forecast before planning their travel or other important activities. Weather forecast has become lead news in media.

“It is a strange scenario in Kashmir. During summers, we have to plan life as per protest calendar and now in winter we have to follow weather forecast,” said Mohammad Latief, a shopkeeper

Latief has been regularly following the weather forecast to keep himself update about the forthcoming ‘problems’.

“Snowfall comes with huge problems here. So we have to stay informed,” he adds.

As winter has yet to end, people are strictly following the weather forecast. The status of Jammu Srinagar national high way is of equal interest to people.

“I ensure to check weather forecast everyday. If there is a forecast for snow, I keep stock of essentials so that we do not face any problem,” says Nayeem Ahmad, a businessman.

“When we are pre-informed about snowfall, we are able to prepare for problems,” adds Nayeem.

Lack of infrastructure for Winter Tourism

The heavy snowfall that cut-off Kashmir valley from rest of the world by snapping all its road and air links, and left everyone fighting for survival in absence of essentials including heating aides is raising serious doubts about the Jammu and Kashmir government’s ability to host tourists in winter.And by the look of the things the doubt seems quite well placed.

At a time considered peak of winter tourism in Kashmir, the lack of facilities, more than the harsh winter, is forcing away the tourists present in the valley while those likely to visit in the forthcoming weeks have already cancelled the trips.

The situation is creating an impression that the state may not be ready for winter tourism, besides threatening to keep away the tourists in the coming years.

“We have been successfully marketing all seasons in the previous years, but it seems we are not yet ready to sell the winter season,” the president Tour Agents Association of Kashmir, Rauf Tramboo, told JK news.

“The roads here are blocked; the flights are not operating and now the prices of air-tickets are sky-rocketing; and we did not even have electricity and gas supplies. All this is resulting in majority of groups and families cancelling trips to the valley. It has sent a bad signal outside,” he said.

The heavy snowfall left tourists stranded due to valley’s blocked connectivity with the outside world.  The resulting shortage of electricity, cooking gas, essential supplies, however, made the matters worse.   

If the president Houseboat Owners Association, Azim Tuman, is to be believed, the occupancy in the houseboats has come down to zero for the tourists have rushed out due to lack of essential supplies and basic amenities.

“I saw a tourist who was crying literally. He was left without electricity, gas and other essential supplies, and was forced to live on potato and onions. Added to this, the air tickets were so expensive that he could not afford to move out,” shared Tuman, “Naturally under such circumstances, the tourists are running away, leaving the houseboats empty.”For the similar reasons, the occupancy in the hotels is down to 25 to 30 per cent.

“When electricity was not available, we required firewood and kerosene to keep the tourists warm, but it was not available. It has sent a wrong signal outside and it proves that we lack infrastructure for winter tourism,” Siraj said.

Valley records lowest temp in 17 years

For the first time in about 17 years the temperature in Srinagar dipped to minus 7.8 degree Celsius, almost freezing normal life.To add to the tough conditions, moderate to heavy snowfall is likely to take place within the next 48 hours with temperatures  expected to stay between 2 and minus 3.The last time mercury hit below -7 mark was on January 2, 1995, which was followed by an average minimum temperature of  around minus 4 degree Celsius.

“On January 2, 1995 the temperature recorded was minus 8.3 degree Celsius. And since then it is the first time we have seen temperature fall below minus seven,” duty officer at the meteorological department told Jk News.The valley was coldest on January 31, 1983 when the temperature was minus 14.4 degree Celsius. Afterwards, the mercury dipped to minus 9 degree Celsius in 1986, minus 8 degree Celsius in 1987 and minus 11.8 degree Celsius on January 20, 1991.The impact of the freezing cold was quite evident as people tried to heat the water pipes, tanks, car engines and everything  frozen due to the cold.  The auto rickshaw drivers, street vendors and labourers could be seen circled around the bonfires to  keep away the chill.“This is unimaginable. I do not remember the last time I saw the winter getting this cold. Exposed to cold, your feet and hands will turn numb in a moment...” said Murtaza, an auto driver in mid twenties, who was sitting near a container-turned-furnace near Lal Mandi here.

The cold has frozen from end-to-end the Dal Lake, which, however, has become a spectacle of adventure for the dventure-loving-youth. While the boatmen faced great difficulties in rowing the boats and shikaras, many youths could be seen taking a walk on the frozen surface of the Lake.“I have come here to see the frozen lake and I must admit that it is a treat to watch. I in fact walked a few meters on the surface to see how it feels,” Ashiq Mohi-ud-Din of Nishat said.The Met department has forecast light or moderate rain/snow for the next 48 hours while the higher reaches might receive heavy snowfall.

“Light to moderate snow and rains are likely to occur at most places in Kashmir region and at a few places in Jammu and Ladakh regions,” the Met officials said, sounding the warning: “Rather heavy snow would occur at isolated places in Kashmir Jammu regions during the next 48 hours.”LPG shortage A week of road block has exposed the government’s hollow claims of maintaining enough stock of essential supplies in the  Valley.

At present, when the valley is expecting 48 hours of snow and rains, the consumer affairs and public distribution (CAPD) department only has two days stock of the LPG available while it is “hoping” to receive a little more by this evening.

“Right now we have two days stock with us, but we have more containers on the way and we are hoping to receive them by this evening. That will make us a sufficient stock for a total of six days,” the deputy director CAPD, Shafqat Iqbal, said.

Asked about the meager stock of the LPG, he said: “Normally we have a 15 day stock in the valley, but there was a problem with HPCL which affected the supplies.”The likely snowfall from tomorrow, which may lead to closure of the highway again, might make the matters worse.“We have the supplies on way and we hope that the road stays clear so that it reaches us,” the deputy director said.

Confusion continues on Srinagar Jammu Highway

The unannounced closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway by the authorities today caused severe inconvenience to the passengers and the drivers as they were not allowed to move beyond Khanabal or Qazigund.However, official sources said that the lack of communication between the traffic officials of Jammu and the Srinagar created chaos.

The road was closed last Thursday following the heavy snowfall in the Valley and many other places along the highway.The officials had yesterday claimed that the road was thrown open for one way traffic and announced that the traffic from Srinagar to Jammu will be allowed to move from Srinagar to Jammu today.

Despite the official announcement the authorities today did not allow any of the vehicles to move towards Jammu thus causing lot of inconvenience to the passengers and the drivers.

Hundreds of passengers were taken by surprise when the traffic officials stopped the vehicles they were traveling in at different places and did not allow them to move ahead.Dozens of traffic police personnel were seen forcibly putting at halt all the Jammu bound passenger and the heavy vehicles near Dak Bangalow Khanabal which led to the long traffic jamming on the highway. Many drivers alleged that the traffic officials deflated their tiers and even beat them after they resisted and tried to move ahead.

“Following the announcement of the traffic authorities that the traffic will be allowed to move from Srinagar to Jammu today I left for Jammu early this morning today. However, on reaching Khanabal, I was stopped by the traffic cops who asked me to go back saying that the road was closed. When I objected and asked them why did they make the announcement, they beat me up and even tried to deflate the tyres of my car,” said Mohammad Ashraf from Pulwama.

Another driver, Shabir Ahmad, who was stopped by the officials near Qazigund said that the authorities are making false claims about the opening of the road only to make the passengers bear the brunt.“If the authorities have not been able to clear the road then they should not make false announcements which only cause inconvenience to the passengers,” he said.

A traffic official wishing anonymity said that there is lack of communication between traffic officials of Srinagar and Jammu which resulted in the mess and the passengers have to bear the brunt.“Last evening it was decided that the traffic from Srinagar to Jammu will be allowed to ply only but the traffic authorities allowed the traffic from the other side also despite knowing that the road was not safe for the two way traffic. The two way traffic on the road led to chaos,” the traffic official said.

Deputy SP, (Rural) Traffic, G M Bhat said that he was directed from his higher ups to stop the all the Jammu bound traffic near Khanabal. “As per the official announcement the traffic was from Srinagar to Jammu. But I was directed not allow any Jammu bound vehicle to move beyond Khanabal and I obeyed the orders. Rest I do not know,” Bhat said.

Valley records below freezing day temperature

With the restoration of power supply to Kashmir valley after 48 hours last night, there was some respite to the people but the cold wave conditions have further intensified in the region with Kashmir valley recording coldest day with maximum temperature falling below freezing for the first time this season.

The Weatherman has forecast that the cold wave conditions may continue to prevail in Kashmir valley with Western Disturbance causing light to heavy snowfall on January 14, 15 and 16. The disturbance will be at its peak on January 15 and he has warned that there may be further disruption of air and surface traffic to Kashmir valley with the snowfall on January 15.

The Met office has forecast light rain and snow at many places in Kashmir valley and hilly areas of Jammu division for next 24 hours.

A Meteorological Department official said that it was the coldest day of the season with Srinagar recording maximum temperature of minus 0.5 degrees Celsius and minimum minus 4.2 .

The official said that the South Kashmir township and gateway to Kashmir valley, Qazigund recorded a maximum temperature of minus 0.7 degree Celsius and minimum of minus 7.4.

The official said that South Kashmir tourist spot of Pahalgam recorded maximum temperature at minus 0.7 degree Celsius and minimum at minus 6.8 degrees Celsius.

Another South Kashmir tourist spot of Kokernag recorded a maximum temperature of minus 0.9 degree Celsius and minimum of minus 7.4 degrees Celsius.

Kupwara was the coldest town in Kashmir valley with maximum temperature recorded at minus 0.7 degree Celsius and minimum at minus 5.1 degrees Celsius.

The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a low temperature of minus 14.5 degrees Celsius and yesterday it was freezing at minus 16.5 degrees Celsius.

In the meantime, the restoration of the power supply brought respite to the people across Kashmir but with the subzero temperatures, water tapes are frozen and after power, there is water crisis in the Valley.

The water tapes were normally freezing during the night and by afternoon they were melting but today as the temperature continued to be subzero the water tapes remained frozen.

If the weather conditions continued to remain same, the water crisis will deepen further.

And with the closure of Jammu-Srinagar National highway for the heavy vehicles even today, the supplies in Kashmir valley have started depleting. The mutton, chicken, fresh fruits and vegetable crisis have been reported across Kashmir. The residents have complained of LPG shortage but the divisional administration said there is enough stock of it in Kashmir.

Kashmir Valley plunged into darkness

The major snowfall of the season has brought with it more problems for the people of Kashmir.

The already bad power scenario was worsened as electricity remained snapped from almost all parts of the valley, including Srinagar, since yesterday evening. People had to reel under darkness in both metered and unmetered areas.

An officer of Power Development Department  (PDD) said, “We deal with transmission of power and we have no problems. We are ready to received power but there is fault in the supply from Northern Grid.”

Chief engineer, System and Operation Wing, Kashmir, Sheikh Gul Ayaz revealed that problem has occurred in the Northern Grid which has resulted in snapping of  power supply.

“We are utilizing our local power generation and have also started the gas turban. We are able to generate around 60 MW of power,” Ayaz said.

He added that the available power is being supplied to essential services, particularly to hospitals.

“Government is doing its best to repair the lines of Northern Grid which is our main source of power. It might take some time,” said Ayaz.

People who are already irked by the frequent power curtailment, announced recently by the government, are facing inconvenience in absence of electricity.

“Power scenario was already very bad. And now we are left with nothing. We do not even have warm water in this chilly weather as there is no electricity,” said Shagufta Begum from old city.

In view of cold and wet weather, people preferred staying indoors today. The movement of traffic, particularly private vehicles also remained thin in the city. People could be seen mostly walking their way to work places. Markets and office started off late than usual days.

Besides power supply, mobiles and internet services also stopped working since last night, leading to communication breakdown.

“My phone stopped working completely since last night. I have not been able to make or receive calls at all,” said Afsana from Raj Bagh.

“The snapped mobile network is very difficult to deal with. Though it did not snow dangerously, but network are badly affected,” said Ishfaq Khan, from old city.

Absence of all internet services affected work at offices. “Whenever it snows we are completely disconnected from the world. It takes just few inches of snow to part us from the world,” adds Ishfaq

The problem of water logging surfaced badly in most areas. Roads, lanes and by lanes remained water logged. 

While snowfall brought worries for valleyites, tourists currently on visit to Kashmir were thrilled by the fresh snowfall. Visitors from different parts of the country could be seen enjoying the snow, particular along Boulevard and at Gulmarg. Locals could also been seen involved in snow fights and making snowman.

Dal Lake other water bodies freeze

Summer capital Srinagar recordded coldest night of the winter after the minimum temperature dropped to minus 5.5 degree Celsius this morning while fresh snowfall resulted in freezing of parts of the world famous Dal lake, other water bodies and water taps.

However, world famous ski resort of Gulmarg was coldest in the Kashmir valley after the minimum temperature dropped to minus 16.5 degree.

Srinagar, recorded the coldest night of the season after the minimum temperature dropped to minus 5.5 degree, breaking the previous record of minus 4.9 degree on January 1.

This was more than four notches below than yesterday’s minus 1.0.

Major parts of the world famous Dal Lake were frozen, attracting large number of people, including tourists who were seen taking photographs.

The entire Dal was frozen in 60’s when a jeep crossed from one end to another end on it.

However, in 1986, the lake water was again frozen on which youths played cricket and ice hockey. Besides, tourists took photographs in the middle of the lake.

Official sources said several other water bodies were also frozen due to cold.

People in many areas complained about water shortage as the water taps were also frozen. Due to non-availability of electricity, water could not be lifted to filtration plants and water tanks.

Roof tops, tree tops and electric polls were covered with snow.

A number of people were injured after falling on slippery roads in the city.

Famed ski resort of Gulmarg, which experienced more than five feet of snowfall, also recorded coldest night of the season when the minimum temperature dropped to minus 16.5 degree this morning. Earlier, the highest was minus 12.0 degree recorded on December 23.

However, hundreds of tourists from different parts of the country and abroad were enjoying the snow despite severe cold.

Qazigund, gateway of Kashmir valley on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which remained closed for the past three days, also recorded coldest minimum temperature of the winter sofar after the temperature dropped to minus 8.4 degree breaking the previous minus 5.6 recorded on December 26.

Kokernag in south Kashmir and Kupwara in north Kashmir also recorded coldest night after the minimum dropped to minus 6.3 and minus 5.6 degree respectively.

However, famed health resort of Pahalgam, base camp of holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas recorded minus 6.0 degree against yesterday’s minus 4.0 degree.

However, the coldest in the tourist resort during this winter was minus 8.8 degree recorded on December 25, last year.

A Met department spokesman said details about temperature in Leh and Kargil of Ladakh region was not available. 

Valley freezing at minus 2.3

The minimum temperatures were below the freezing point in the Kashmir Valley including Srinagar, with Leh shivering at minus 16.6 degrees. The minimum temperature
was minus 4.5 degrees in Srinagar, minus 7.4 in Pahalgam in south Kashmir and minus 7.5 in Gulmarg, meteorological office director Sonam Lotus told reporters. Leh in Ladakh region was the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 16.6 degrees. Kargil recorded minus 15.2 degrees, he added.The temperature in Srinagar was minus 2.3 degrees Thursday.The official said the weather would remain cold and dry across the valley and the Ladakh region during the next two days and there could be a further drop in the night temperatures. But despite the severe cold, a good number of domestic tourists thronged Kashmir."Our main attraction for coming to Kashmir is to enjoy the snow. I plan to welcome the New Year in Gulmarg," said tourist Rakesh Pande.

Kerosene Firewood burning in Kashmir poses more health problems

In the wake of absence of adequate electricity supplies and shortage of alternative supplies like LPG in the valley, many people have turned to conventional kerosene/ mud stoves for cooking meals this winter.Kerosene heaters/ stoves have been selling like hot cakes as people find it the most affordable and easily available source for cooking and warming themselves.However, a number of health risks people expose themselves to while using kerosene based heating/ warming and even lightning appliances are usually ignored.

Kerosene combustion/ burning produces the most toxic gases like Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide , nitrogen oxides which lead to serious respiratory and cardiac ailments.

Their usage is particularly high in rural areas, where people are not provided with basic electricity and other facilities and health awareness is low.Incidentally, a number of tragic accidents which have occurred were due to burn injuries caused, especially to women and children while using kerosene heating/ cooking devices.“ People usually avoid exercising precautionary measures while using kerosene based devices which lands them into trouble. Many sub-district hospitals in the far flung areas treat hundreds of such cases on an average basis in winters. Children are the most affected age group as they indulge in mishandling of these dangerous devices,” said Dr. Ahmad Waseem, a physician at SKIMS, Soura.

People say that there does not seem to be much of the choice for them which is why they have again gone back to the usage of kerosene lamps/ heaters and stoves.

“ Electricity tariff is touching sky high prices. Even LPG is not readily available now is being sold by black marketers at unaffordable rates. What could a common man do? ,” asks Gaffar, a public employee.Usage of kerosene, charcoal and firewood is prevalent in valley and more than 60 per cent of the valleyites in some way or the other use these during winters for heating, cooking and other purposes. The state government , has been non-active in enforcing strict regulations on inddor pollution problem , even if the number of injuries and deaths due to smoke choking , lung cancers and other related diseases in far off areas of the valley are on a rise especially in winters.

Lowest ever night temp 2011 in Jammu

Jammu is in the grip of severe cold wave as the temperature plummeted considerably since last evening.

According to Dr M K Khushu, Chief Scientist and Head Agronomy Division of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, the night temperature in the outskirts of Jammu district was recorded at 0.5 degree Celsius, about six degrees below the normal temperature.

"This is the lowest ever night temperature recorded in the outskirts of Jammu district during the last 30 years", he said, adding the night temperature in the Samba district was recorded at 0.2 degree Celsius while as the minimum temperature in Udhampur was 1.2 degree Celsius.

In response to a question, Dr Khushu said that as there is no indication of immediate rainfall, the temperature is likely to plummet further.

Coldest night of 2011 in Valley

As the temperatures across Kashmir continued to plummet, the State's summer capital, Srinagar, witnessed coldest night of the season with minimum temperature recorded at minus 4.8 degrees Celsius last night.

The Meteorological Department has forecast that dry and cold weather conditions will continue for next one week and the temperatures will plummet further in the region.

With the dipping temperatures, the cold wave in Kashmir intensified resulting in the freezing of the parts of Srinagar's world famous Dal lake.

Early in the morning the water near the banks of the Dal lake was frozen as a thin lawyer of ice formation had taken place. However, in the interior areas, where water mostly remains stagnant and sunlight does not reach due to tree line, thick ice layer had formed. However, with the Sun coming out, the ice layer near peripheries vanished.

The Dal lake froze completely in 1960s and it again froze in 1986 attracting large number of tourists to the lake to see it frozen. Recently, the lake froze in 2006 and children played cricket on the surface of the frozen lake. Last year, parts of Dal lake particularly near the peripheries were frozen due to subzero temperatures.

Meanwhile, majority of the Kashmiris woke up to the frozen water tapes leading to the water crisis in the morning. It was only in the afternoon when Sun came out that the frozen tapes started melting giving relief to the people from the temporary water crisis.

There was some relief from the intense cold wave conditions during the day as Sun was out with maximum temperature settling at 8 degrees Celsius.

While Srinagar recorded the lowest night temperature of the season at minus 4.8 degree Celsius, the mercury in tourist resort of Gulmarg in North Kashmir recorded a marginal increase over the last two days as the minimum temperature there settled at minus 9.8 degrees Celsius, said an official of the MeT department.

It may be mentioned here that the Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 12 degrees Celsius for two consecutive nights two days ago.

The tourist resort of Pahalgam in South Kashmir recorded a minus 8.8 degrees Celsius. Previous night the temperature settled at minus 7.4 degrees Celsius.

In North Kashmir district of Kupwara, the minimum temperature was recorded at minus 4.7 degrees Celsius and in Qazigund South Kashmir it was recorded at minus 5.6 degree Celsius.

The MeT official said that in Leh, the minimum temperature dropped by nearly one degree compared to yesterday to settle at minus 16.2 degree Celsius. Kargil recorded a low of minus 12 degrees Celsius.

In the State's winter capital, Jammu, the impact of dipping temperature was felt with night temperature dipping to a low of 4.3 degrees Celsius. However, the day temperature settled at 20 degrees Celsius.

Kangris back in kashmir

Frequent power cuts and shortage of LPG in Kashmir has thrown a new lease of life to the 'Kangri', the traditional mobile heater for residents of the valley, as sales have doubled with the onset of this winter. "We have sold almost double the quantity of Kangris this November compared to corresponding period last year," Ghulam Mohammad, a kangri seller at busy Batamaloo bus stand, said. Mohammad said the business for Kangri sellers was getting back to the time of 1980s. "I think we are selling more kangris this year than we have ever sold," he added.

Besides being a portable means of heating, carried under the Pheran (traditional cloak used by Kashmiris during winter), Kangri used to be one of the cherished gifts given to a bride or groom. A Kangri can cost anything between Rs 45 for low quality wicker to Rs 20,000 for the ones made of silver. Good quality wicker Kangris, generally made in Chrar-e-Sharief area of Central Kashmir Budgam district, can cost up to Rs 1,500. Hundreds of people were earning their livelihood by making kangris. The use of Kangri, a wicker basket fitted with clay pot for holding simmering charcoal, had, however, declined over the past decade with the introduction of gas heaters in the valley. The power supply had also become dependable over the years and the residents took to using electric heating appliances to keep themselves warm during the winter months when the temperature can drop as low as minus seven degrees. Rising costs of electricity and LPG, the prices have increased by 20 to 35 per cent since last winter, have forced people to go back to the cheaper and traditional means of keeping themselves warm."I had bought a LPG heater in 2003 but our family has now switched back to using Kangri. We don't even get enough gas for cooking, forget about using it for heating purposes," Khursheed Ahmad, a resident of posh Peerbagh area in the city, said.A businessman by profession, Ahmad said while he could afford to pay high cost of using electricity for heating purpose, the power supply is so erratic that it cannot be depended upon. "The load shedding schedule is designed as such that one has to shiver in cold for two to three hours every evening. People want to get back to the warmth of their homes after a hard day out but generally we enter into darkness," he added.

Snowfall in Kashmir good for agriculture

Farmers in Jammu and Kashmir have expressed their joy over the moderate to heavy snowfall in the valley, saying it will provide the required impetus to agriculture in the state.

The valley already has limited water resources for agricultural activities, and most of the time the channels

remain dry.

But with the advent of winter and the snowfall, water bodies in the state would soon replenish providing

much needed boost to agriculture.

"The people who live on the plain areas depend upon agriculture. The snowfall in winters helps us in the months of March and April as the snow melts and the water from the snow helps us to water the fields. We specially depend upon this," said Bashir Ahmed, a farmer.

Agriculture in Kashmir Valley is a major source of income for residents and most of the population depends on this sector.

The residents said that they are optimistic that there would be more rainfall in the valley.

Extreme cold conditions in Valley

Valley has again been gripped under severe cold wave as the  temperatures dipped down to zero degree Celsius, giving Kashmir one of the coldest days of the season.Following poor visibility at the airport here a number of Srinagar bound flights were cancelled from different parts of the country. Two Indian Airlines flights for Hajj pilgrims were also cancelled. During the day, Srinagar recorded 0.2 degree Celsius, Qazigund  recorded minus 0.8 degrees, Pahalgam minus 1.6,  Kokernag 0.7degree, Kupwara 0.9 and Gulmarg  recorded minus 1.0 degree Celsius.

However the weatherman has ruled out the possibility of any snow or rainfall in the Valley.“Valley will remain cold till tomorrow. But there is no possibility of rain or snowfall at least for a week,” said  Sonum Lotus, Director Meteorological Department. Sonum said it will remain overcast and hazy till tomorrow.“There will be poor visibility during the morning and evening hours also. The weather will improve from tomorrow evening,” said Sonum.He informed that no rain or snowfall has been experienced on the higher reaches of the Valley as well. “It will remain cold but dry,” Sonum said.

While Kashmir reels under chill, the ‘Chillai Kalaan’ is 20 days away.  Lasting for forty days, chillai kalaan, which begins on December 21, is believed  to be the coldest part of the whole winter season of Kashmir. People make preparation to tackle the chill of this season weeks before its onset. Besides warm clothes, the dwellings are also equipped with heating gadgets. The schools and other educational institutions are closed down for winter vacations. Once the period of chillai kalaan is over, twenty days long chillai khurd (meaning small chilla) is welcomed.

This period is believed to bring warmth to the air and thus a change in season. This is followed by third part of the winter, chillai bachch. During the 10 days period of chillai bachch, Kashmiris believe that the chill in water breaks and becomes warmer. Once the chillai bachch is over, the soil gets warmness, as people here believe.

Govt orders vacations in winter zone

The state government today ordered winter vacations for all government educational institutions and recognized private schools upto higher secondary level falling in Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division.
Schools under middle standard shall observe winter break from December 1, 2011 upto February 29, 2012.
The high and higher secondary schools shall observe winter break with effect from  December 12, 2011 upto February 2012. Any default on the part of private schools in observance of the calendar of vacations shall attract action under rules, an official spokesman said.

cold wave in kashmir Valley

For the third consecutive day, entire Kashmir valley is in the grip of an intense cold wave, with both the day and night temperatures plummeting further.

Icy winds swept across the Kashmir valley making people to shiver and forced majority of them to stay indoors.

Reports of fresh snowfall have come from the higher reaches of the Valley while as rains lashed the plains that is said to be reason behind the intensification of cold wave.

An official at Meteorological department said that the higher reaches of the Kashmir valley are expected to receive light snowfall over the next 24 hours. He said that some plains in the Kashmir valley are expected to receive rains over the next 24 hours.

"There are reports of snowfall in the higher reaches of the Valley but as no weather observatories are there we cannot measure snowfall at such places. Similarly light rains have been recorded in some of the plains of the valley and same is expected over the next 24 hours as well," said the MeT official.

He said the day temperature in Srinagar was recorded as 11.0 degrees Celsius while as the minimum temperature was recorded as 4.8 degrees Celsius. "In Jammu the maximum temperature was recorded as 22.9 degrees Celsius while as the minimum temperature was recorded as 14.8 degrees Celsius."

Meanwhile, the 434 kilometres long Srinagar-Leh national highway remained closed for the second day today. The road connecting Bandipora with Gurez has also been closed by the authorities and it would be reopened only when the weather condition improved.

"Both the Srinagar-Leh national highway and Bandipora-Gurez road have been closed due to the snowfall and slippery conditions. The road connecting Machil and Tangdhar areas with rest of the Valley has also been closed due to snowfall. As and when the weather improved, these routes would be thrown open for vehicular traffic," said Aamir Ali, Head Disaster Management Centre, Kashmir and OSD with Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.

Aamir asked people not to undertake journey on the closed routes saying that the same would be full of risks. "As on today the routes are closed and people should undertake the journey only when the weather improved. They should cooperate with administration as their safety is our prime concern."

The MeT department has already issued travel advisory for people traveling on Srinagar-Leh highway and Bandipora-Gurez road as moderate to heavy snowfall is expected at some places on these routes till Friday morning. The department has asked people to exercise maximum restraint while traveling on both these routes.

"People living in snow-bound areas along the Srinagar-Leh highway and Bandipora-Gurez road should take extra precautions while traveling around. The people traveling to these areas should also take precautions as it is expected that some areas would experience moderate to heavy snowfall till the morning of November 11 (Friday)," said Sonam Lotus, Director MeT office, Srinagar.

He said travel advisories are issued to people living in the snow-bound only when there are apprehensions of heavy snowfall. He said the same situation persisted in some of the areas along Pir Panjal range adding that people should be cautious until the warning persists.

It would be in place to mention here that entire Kashmir valley has been engulfed by a thick blanket of black clouds since November 8. This has led to the increase in the cold wave conditions across the Valley and the day temperature has gone down over the past three days.

The weatherman has forcast improvement in the weather on Friday afternoon while some reports suggested that there would be more rains on Saturday with Sunday once again being cloudy. 

Move offices open in Jammu

The civil secretariat today opened in the winter capital, but unusually on a lacklustre note, with very thin presence of employees in the secretariat.

The chief minister, who arrived in the civil secretariat at 9:30 am in the morning, was given guard of honour by the J&K police contingent. The ministers, administrative secretaries, officers and employees warmly received the chief minister who later went round various departments in the secretariat and enquired about the welfare of employees besides taking stock of the functioning.

After taking guard of honour, chief minister, Omar Abdullah, chaired the meeting of council of ministers and reviewed sector-wise progress and took a brief on various flagship programmes.

The chief minister while appreciating the endeavours of ministers and their contribution in effective and successful implementation of the development agenda of coalition government, underlined the need for maintaining the pace of progress on development works. He said that holistic development of Jammu and Kashmir and justice to all is a stupendous task fixed by the coalition government to achieve during its tenure. “We have to redouble our efforts and sensitise administration at all levels to achieve this goal”, he said.

The chief minister, while reviewing the health and educational sectors, said that consolidation as well as expansion programmes during the last about three years have catapulted the delivery and progress in these sectors conspicuously.

Omar Abdullah said that new initiatives taken to enhance employability of youth by upgrading their skills through a network of Polytechnics and ITIs besides making them more accessible to higher education through newly established degree colleges would yield positive results in the coming years. He said that universalisation of health-care facilities across the state and upgrading secondary and tertiary health-care service which remained in focus during this period are also likely to expand the orbit of health-care coverage in the state.

Omar Abdullah also spoke about the development of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and allied sectors and highlighted their importance in socio-economic development of the state. He said that these sectors provide greater opportunities for youth to venture upon in wide-ranging economic activities. The tourism, industry, forest, PHE, R&B, power and other sectors were also discussed in the meeting.

The chief minister directed for the preparation of special Girdawaries for flood and drought affected areas so that necessary relief could be provided to the affected people. He also discussed matters relating to the food grain procurement, development of Kandi areas and extension and improvement in civic amenities in the urban and rural areas. The issues regarding further streamlining and upgrading Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution system in the state were also discussed in the meeting. Describing farmers as the backbone of state’s economic development, the chief minister emphasized on evolving a comprehensive policy for the welfare of farming community and giving considerable fillip to the farm production in the state.

The chief minister also laid stress on the successful implementation of Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA) in the state to make public service delivery prompt and time bound. He asked the ministers to monitor the implementation of the Act at the highest level and make the concerned departments fully aware about their responsibilities under the Act.

The chief minister also inaugurated the newly constructed pre-fabricated 4th floor of the mini secretariat and the corridor linking it with the main secretariat building. The newly constructed 4th floor has 16 rooms to house various offices. The engineering wing of the Estates Department has completed the construction before the targeted timeframe.