Dense fog engulfs parts of Kashmir, hits flight operations at Srinagar airport

Srinagar: Dense fog engulfed large parts of Kashmir, affecting flight operations at Srinagar airport, as visibility fell to about 300 metres, officials said on Friday.

The minimum temperatures rose in most places of the valley, they said.

They said the thick layer of fog that engulfed Kashmir hit air traffic to and from the valley. Several flights were delayed while one was diverted as the visibility fell to about 300 metres.

The visibility required to run flight operations is around 1,100 metres.

However, operations resumed around noon after visibility improved at the airport. The morning's first flight landed in Srinagar at 11:48 am, the officials said.

They added that people also faced difficulties while commuting due to the fog.

The Met office said light snow at isolated higher reaches was possible on Friday.

On Saturday, a moderate to strong western disturbance is likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir and light to moderate snow at most places is possible, with the peak activity from Saturday night till Monday morning.

In a related development, the night temperature rose at most places in Kashmir.

Gulmarg, a tourist resort town known for skiing activities in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, up from the previous night's minus 8.6 degrees, the Met office said.

Pahalgam, one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, registered a minimum temperature of minus 4.6 degrees Celsius.

In Srinagar, the mercury settled at a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius against the previous night's minus 2.6 degrees.

Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, logged a minimum temperature of minus 7.3 degrees Celsius and was the was the coldest place in the valley, while Konibal in Pampore town recorded a low of minus 4.6 degrees.

Kupwara in north Kashmir registered a minimum temperature of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius while Kokernag in south Kashmir recorded minus 5.5 degrees.

Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chillai-Kalan' -- the harshest period of winter -- that began on December 21. During the 40 days of 'Chillai-Kalan', the chances of snowfall are the highest and the temperature drops considerably.

'Chillai-Kalan' ends on January 30. It is followed by a 20-day 'Chillai-Khurd (small cold)' and a 10-day 'Chillai-Bachha (baby cold)'.