Dense fog disrupts flight operations, snow expected over next few days

Dense fog enveloped large parts of Kashmir on Friday, severely affecting flight operations at Srinagar airport as visibility dropped to approximately 300 metres, officials reported. The heavy fog, combined with low visibility, caused significant disruptions in air traffic. Several flights were delayed, and one was diverted, as the required visibility for flight operations is around 1,100 metres. However, operations resumed around noon after visibility improved, and the first flight landed in Srinagar at 11:48 am, according to airport officials.

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In addition to the disruption in air travel, local commuters also faced difficulties due to the dense fog. The fog contributed to low visibility on the roads, making travel challenging all across the region.

Meanwhile, the minimum temperatures in most areas of Kashmir rose slightly. Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 4.5°C, up from minus 8.6°C the previous night. Pahalgam, a base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, saw a minimum temperature of minus 4.6°C, while Srinagar recorded a low of minus 2.2°C, an improvement from the previous night’s minus 2.6°C.

Kashmir is currently in the midst of ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ the harshest winter phase, which began on December 21 and is expected to continue until January 30. During these 40 days, temperatures are typically at their lowest, and the chances of snowfall are highest. Following ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ the region will experience a 20-day ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) period.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological (MeT) department has issued a forecast indicating that a western disturbance is set to impact Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh starting from Saturday night. MeT Kashmir Director Mukhtar Ahmad told The Tribune that the disturbance would likely bring moderate to heavy snowfall. The weather forecast predicts that from January 4 to 6, the region will experience light to moderate rain in the plains of Jammu, while snow is expected at most places in Jammu and Kashmir. The peak of the weather activity is anticipated from Saturday night through late Sunday night and into Monday morning. The weather is expected to improve by Monday afternoon.

“There is a possibility of heavy snow at isolated higher reaches during the night of January 4 to late night on January 5,” the MeT department stated.

Currently due to heavy snowfall over the past few days in Ladakh has led to road blockades across several routes in the region. The Leh-Manali highway remains closed.