Snowfall likely in Kashmir Valley on New Year day

December 31, 2019 17:09

There was some respite from cold wave conditions for residents of Kashmir as the minimum temperature improved on Tuesday, even as the MET Office has forecast snowfall in the valley from Wednesday. The night temperature across the valley improved last night, providing relief to residents, an official of the Meteorological Department said. He said Srinagar city recorded a low of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius last night -- up over three degrees from minus 6.5 degrees Celsius the previous night. The official said the ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 7.2 degrees Celsius last night -- slightly up from the previous night's minus 7.8 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg, in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, was the coldest recorded place in the valley, he added.

The night temperature at Pahalgam resort, which also serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath yatra in south Kashmir, settled at a low of minus 5.3 degrees Celsius -- nearly five degrees up from minus 10.2 degrees Celsius yesterday, he said.

The official said Qazigund -- the gateway town to the valley - in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius -- up from minus 9.3 degrees Celsius yesterday. Kokernag town, also in south, recorded a low of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara, in north, registered the minimum of minus 3 degrees Celsius, the official said. He said Leh town, in the Ladakh Union territory, recorded a low of minus 15.4 degrees Celsius -- up nearly five degrees from the previous night's minus 20.1 degrees Celsius. The mercury in the nearby Drass town settled at a low of minus 22.6 degrees Celsius.

Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chillai-Kalan' - the 40-day harshest period of winter when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum and the temperature drops considerably.

Image: Fewer tourists, fog, and an iced-over Dal lake means shikarawallahs have rested their oars. Pic: Umar Ganie

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