Early Times Report
Srinagar, Dec 29: Chilly conditions have intensified as the minimum temperature dropped further in the Kashmir valley, where world famous ski resort of Gulmarg was coldest at minus 6.6 degree Celsius.
However, Leh and Kargil continued to freeze as the minimum temperature was minus 11.8 degree and minus 10.2 degree respectively.
A MeT department spokesman said here this afternoon that night chill could intensify further as the sky would remain open and weather dry during the next 24 hours in the Jammu and Kashmir.
After witnessing further drop in the minimum temperature, people woke up to a clear sky morning with icy cold winds also continuing.
Famed ski resort of Gulmarg, hosting 12th National Ice-Skating championship from tomorrow, was coldest in the valley after the minimum temperature witnessed further drop and settled at minus 6.6 degree against yesterday, minus 5 degree. However, 6 degree is being considered normal at the ski resort during this period of the winter. The coldest so far was recorded minus 12.5 degree minimum temperature on December 24.
However, the maximum temperature yesterday was 3.6 degree, about a notch above normal at Gulmarg, 55 km from here in north Kashmir which is now connected by helicopter service from Srinagar.
Pahalgam, a famed health resort in south Kashmir, which also serves as base camp for annual Amarnath pilgrimage, being organized in summer every year, recorded minus 6.4 degree minimum temperature against yesterdays minus 2.6 degree, affecting water level in river Lidder.
Srinagar, the summer capital of the state, also witnessed drop in the minimum temperature though sun was out today but the intensity of the heat was very low because of icy cold winds.
Against yesterday, minus 2.7 degree minimum temperature it was minus 3.7 degree, about two notches below normal.
MeT spokesman said since the weather will remain dry the minimum temperature could drop further tomorrow.
He said the sky would be mainly clear with haze in the morning and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 11 degree and minus 4 degree during the next 24 hours.
Kupwara in north Kashmir also witnessed a drop of one degree in the minimum temperature while about two degree improvement was recorded at Qazigund, gateway of Kashmir and Kokernag a tourist resort in south Kashmir. |
