After season’s coldest night in Sgr, weak WD to affect J&K tomorrow

Light snowfall in higher reaches, rains in plains expected till Sunday; MeT says minimum temp may go up on Nov 23, 24

Srinagar, Nov 22 (KNO): With the Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recording the coldest night of season, a feeble Western Disturbance (WD) is set to affect the Union Territory from tomorrow, which may result in light snowfall over the higher reaches and also the rain showers in the plains till November 24.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the night temperature improved at multiple places, but the coldest night of the season at minus 1.2 degree Celsius was recorded in Srinagar in the intervening night of Thursday-Friday.

As per the details, several areas across Kashmir recorded the sub-zero temperatures for the third consecutive night.

The details reveal that Qazigund, a gateway of Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam recorded the coldest temperature in the Valley at minus 2.3 degrees Celsius.

Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, recorded a low of minus 0.6 degree while Kupwara recorded minus 0.8 degree in the intervening night of Thursday-Friday.

Meanwhile, a weak Western Disturbance would affect Jammu and Kashmir from tomorrow and under its influence light snowfall and rains are expected at isolated places of the Union Territory.

“There is a possibility of snowfall in the higher reaches and also the rain showers in the plains of Kashmir on Saturday and Sunday,” an Independent Weather Forecaster, Faizan Arif Keng informed.

However, he said that no major wet spell is expected in the coming days.

The weather is expected to remain mainly cloudy in the plains during the next two days.

A local Meteorological department has predicted generally dry weather conditions from November 25 to November 30.

Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad in a detailed forecast, stated that the minimum temperature would rise tonight and tomorrow following which it may plummet by 2-3 degrees Celsius.

The MeT has also said that the tourists, trekkers and travellers are advised to follow administrational and traffic advisory—(KNO)

Weather Update For Next 48hrs

A feeble Western disturbance is going to effect over jammu and kashmir from today night to 24th November under its influence,

Mostly cloudy weather is expected during next 48hrs with light rain /snow is expected at some places.

Light snowfall is expected over higher reaches of kashmir including sinthan top , Razdan top , sadhna top , peer ki gali Gurez valley and Zojila pass for next 48hrs.

Plains of kashmir may observe mostly cloudy weather with rain showers is expected at some places particularly North and central kashmir. Overall nothing significant is expected till 04 December across J&K.

Regarding minimum temperatures due to cloudy sky the night temperatures may rise few degrees for next 2 days.

KPDCL raises alarm on spike in DT damage rate

158 transformers damaged in 4 days, 143 replaced

Srinagar, Nov 22 (GNS): Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), today again issued a fervent appeal to its consumers to use electricity judiciously so that locality Distribution Transformers (DTs) are protected from damage and subsequent power outages.

As many as 49 DTs were damaged across Kashmir valley on November 21 alone, indicating a steep rise in unsanctioned heating load across all Divisions of Kashmir valley.

Expressing serious concern over increase in DT damage rate early in winter, a KPDCL spokesperson advised domestic consumers to strictly adhere to their sanctioned load and avoid using crude heaters and boilers, which have been banned by the Government. “While 49 DTs were reported damaged on November 21, 32 were damaged on November 20, 37 on November 19 and 40 on November 18,” he added.

The spokesman, however, clarified that KPDCL’s Central Workshop at Pampore and Divisional Workshops are operating in double shifts to reclaim the Buffer Stock by repairing the damaged DTs. “Against 158 DTs damaged across Kashmir valley over the last 4 days, 143 were also repaired and restored during the same period,” he stated.

Attributing rising DT damage rate and power outages to rampant use of crude heaters/ boilers and illegal hooking on bare conductor in metered areas, the spokesperson stated that KPDCL has intensified its inspection and disconnection drives across all Electric Divisions of Kashmir valley to curb power theft.

“As many as 1484 inspection drives were conducted across all 18 Electric Divisions by KPDCL on November 21, during which 1396 domestic and 514 commercial installations were disconnected for unauthorised use of power,” he said, adding the inspection drives will be further accelerated on daily basis in all districts of Kashmir Division.

Anticipating DT damage in peak winter months, KPDCL has maintained a buffer stock of 1554 DTs. “We have also kept a reserve stock of DTs to meet any eventuality on account of higher DT damage,” he said, adding Buffer Stock was pegged at 1412 last year.

Reiterating KPDCL’s commitment to replace the damaged DT within the stipulated timelines, the spokesman, however, clarified that repeat damage of DT by increase in unsanctioned load shall attract longer duration timelines, factoring in limited manpower available at Central Workshop Pampore and Divisional Workshops of KPDCL.(GNS)

Omar Abdullah Anounces To Perform Umrah After Getting Political Clearance

Srinagar, November 22(GNS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday announced that he will be travelling to Saudi Arabia to Perform Umrah after political clearance.

Taking on micro-blogging platform X, The Chief wrote, “Alhumdullilah political clearance has come. I will be traveling to Saudi Arabia on Monday to perform Umrah & to offer prayers at Al Masjid an Nabawi (SAW) (The Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque) in Medina.(GNS)