Thaindian News

Srinagar, Jan 18 (IANS) After three days of snowfall, severe cold wave conditions returned to Kashmir Wednesday with this summer capital reporting a minimum temperature of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius. Minimum temperatures across the valley are expected to fall further in the coming days.

“Cold wave conditions, which had abated due to the snowfall, returned. Although we are not expecting any rain or snowfall for three to four days, night temperatures are likely to fall further,” local meteorological office director Sonam Lotus told IANS here.

The minimum temperature was minus 12.2 degrees in Pahalgam, minus 12.4 degrees in Gulmarg and minus 19.9 degrees in Leh town of Ladakh region.

One-way traffic was restored on the Srinagar-Jammu highway Tuesday afternoon and 150 trucks carrying essential supplies to the valley were allowed to move from Jammu towards Srinagar.

Although a mild snowfall occurred in Bannihal sector of the highway Wednesday morning, traffic authorities said trucks carrying supplies to the valley would be allowed to move one way. “No passenger vehicle will be allowed,” a traffic department official said.

Normal air traffic to Kashmir was also restored Tuesday after two days as civilian flights to and from Srinagar airport operated normally.

The acute shortage of cooking gas that hit the valley after the Srinagar-Jammu highway was blocked by the recent snowfall is yet to be eased although authorities said trucks carrying cooking gas supplies had started arriving here.

“As many as 120 trucks carrying cooking gas are arriving today (Wednesday). There is no shortage of kerosene oil and we are ensuring its steady supply,” Jammu and Kashmir consumer affairs and public distribution minister Qamar Ali Akhoon said.

But people continued to complain of an acute shortage of cooking gas, kerosene oil and even sugar.