Early Snowfall in Kashmir a remedy for Delhi’s air pollution
By Zaffar Iqbal Published on 6 Nov 2019 9:32 AM GMT
Srinagar: The national capital is grappling with a health emergency. Delhi is facing high levels of air pollution resulting from stubble burning in Punjab and neighbouring states. Still, air pollution levels could drastically come down in the next couple of days due to heavy snowfall in Kashmir predicted by the meteorological department.
“There is a link. Early snowfall in Kashmir would have an impact on Delhi’s air pollution levels by reducing the particulate matter in the air,” said Sonam Lotus Director Meteorological department of Kashmir. “People in Delhi and neighbouring states will get some relief”.
The MET has alerted the Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh administration about the temporary disruption on surface transportation especially overpasses like Zojilla, Srinagar Jammu Leh Manali highway, also Mughal road etc. due to landslides low temperature and heavy snowfall.
Snowing in Srinagar. It’s this season’s first one. ❄️ pic.twitter.com/5tkr6MGYiJ
— Imtiyaz Hussain (@hussain_imtiyaz) November 7, 2019
“ Active western disturbance and its interaction with cyclone MAHA (Currently lying over East Central Arabian Sea) are most likely to cause widespread moderate to heavy snowfall and (rain in plains of Jammu and Kashmir) and Ladakh during November 6 -8. It will peak in the night on November 7,’’ the statement said.
Jammu -Srinagar highway is the only surface link connecting valley with the rest of the country, but it mostly remains blocked in winters for long periods due to landslides triggered by snow and rains.
A blocked highway in winters leads to scarcity of essential commodities in Kashmir and hampers the movement of people between the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar.
“This is the second year in running Kashmir is witnessing snowfall in November. It is good for Kashmir”, Sonam Lotus said.
Early snowfall in the valley would help to replenish water bodies and give a boost to agriculture; however, it could be a cause of worry for the fruit growers who haven’t harvested their apple crops just yet.
However, more than 90 per cent of apple harvesting in Kashmir has already taken place.
In Kashmir, the 40-day harsh winter season ‘Chila-e-Kalan’ with sub-zero temperatures commences from December 20.
