No let-up in cold wave conditions across Valley

Srinagar, January 17

Intense cold wave conditions persisted in Kashmir on Sunday, even as the minimum temperatures increased marginally across the Valley.

The meteorological department here said a western disturbance is likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir for a few days starting January 22, bringing snowfall and rain to the Union Territory.

Srinagar shivers at -7.6°c

• Srinagar records -7.6 degrees Celsius, up from minus 8.2 degrees Celsius registered the previous night
• The minimum temperature in the city was still over five notches below the normal for this time of the year

The night temperature in Kashmir improved slightly but remained several notches below the freezing point, an MeT official said. Srinagar city, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 7.6 degrees Celsius, up from minus 8.2 degrees Celsius the previous night, he said. The minimum temperature in the city last night was still over five notches below the normal for this time of the year, he added.

Pahalgam, which also serves as a base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 8.7 degrees Celsius, up from the previous night’s minus 9.4 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Gulmarg settled at minus 4.2 degrees Celsius. The tourist resort had recorded a low of minus 5.4 degrees Celsius on Friday night.

Qazigund was the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir with a minimum temperature of minus 9 degrees Celsius, the official said. Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius while Kokernag in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 8.7 degrees Celsius.

The intense cold wave in Kashmir has resulted in the freezing of water supply lines in several areas. A thick layer of ice has covered several roads, making it difficult for motorists to drive. — PTI