Intense cold wave continues post snowfall in Kashmir and Ladakh
By: Tariq Shah VOV
Srinagar
Intense cold waves have engulfed the entire Kashmir valley and some parts of Ladakh after the recent snowfall. Zojila area along with Sonmarg is witnessing sub zero temperatures with icicles hanging from most of the rooftops in Sonmarg and other areas.
Similarly the clear skies have resulted in sub zero temperatures in most parts of the valley including Srinagar city. Cold wave conditions have intensified in the ski resort of Gulmarg where a lot of people including visitors are enjoying the beauty of this meadow after the heavy snowfall.
According to GNS in its weather report on Thursday it has said as follows.
Intense cold conditions prevailed in J&K and Ladakh with Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort, being the coldest place in the Kashmir Valley.
A meteorological department official said that the minimum temperature in Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, settled at minus 2.7°C, up by one degree Celsius from last night but minus 0.6°C below normal for this time of the year.
Kashmir is presently under the grip of 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started from December 21. It is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 11.0°C against minus 11.5°C on the previous night, he said. The temperature was minus 3.1°C below normal for this time of the year in the famous resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 9.4°C against minus 11.6°C last night, he said.
Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 5.8°C against minus 5.3°C on the previous night, he said.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 6.1°C against minus 7.2°C on the previous night, the official said.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 2.5°C against minus 5.5°C on the previous night, the official said.
Jammu recorded a low of 5.5°C against previous night’s 5.8°C which is minus 1.5°C below normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.
Banihal recorded a low of minus 1.0°C, Katra 5.5°C and Bhaderwah saw a minimum of minus 2.7°C, the official said.
Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 15.5°C against last night’s minus 13.9°C while mercury at automatic station in Kargil settled at minus 16.9°C. Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 21.9°C against last night’s minus 21.9°C, official said.
The weatherman has forecast dry weather at most places in Jammu and Kashmir till January 16.
With GNS inputs
