By: Tariq Shah VOV

Srinagar

Night temperatures have improved in Kashmir valley and Ladakh as the minimum temperatures did not see any further dip. The minimum temperatures during the nights have improved while as earlier there were intense cold waves during the nights with Srinagar city witnessing minus 6 Celsius.

During the 40 day long Chillai Kalan which is a harsh part of the winter in Kashmir valley normally the temperatures dip even during the day and there are expectations of rains and snow also.

People of Kashmir eagerly wait for the snow during the Chillai Kalan period because it is the source for the summer waters in the various rivers and water reservoirs because it freezes in the upper reaches during this period.

Meanwhile GNS reporting about the improvement in the night temperatures has said in its news report on Tuesday as follows.

Weatherman said that “gradual” rise was expected in the night temperatures in coming days due to approaching “feeble” Western Disturbance.

A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K recorded a low of minus 2.8°C and was three degrees up from previous night’s minus 5.8°C. However, he said, overall it was below minus 1.3°C than the normal for this time of the year.

The 40-day long ‘Chillai Kalan starts on December 21 it is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.

The mercury in the world famous resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district settled at minus 5.0°C against minus 5.5°C on the previous night, the official said.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, had a low of minus 2.6°C against minus 6.5°C on the previous night, he said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.7°C against minus 7.4°C on previous night.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.3°C against minus 5.9°C on previous night, the official said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 3.8°C against minus 5.2°C on the previous night, the official said.

Jammu, the J&K’s winter capital, saw a low of 3.3°C which is minus 5.7°C below normal, he said.

Ladakh’s Leh had a low of minus 8.2°C against last night’s minus 13.9°C while automatic Kargil station recorded minimum of minus 9.0°C. Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 11.1°C, the official said.

“There has been significant Improvement in Minimum Temperature in both J&K and Ladakh, “he said, adding, “Due to an approaching feeble WD, expect gradual rise in Minimum Temperature in coming days.”

With GNS inputs