Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 27: After a day’s respite, chill returned to the Kashmir valley due to cloudy and overcast conditions, icy and chilly winds that were blowing across the Valley.
People in Srinagar city, summer capital of the State shivered with cold wave conditions as the day temperature was recorded just over 4 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature recorded was 4.3 degrees Celsius; 2.7 degrees Celsius less than Saturday’s day temperature of 7.0 degrees Celsius.
The minimum temperature also made the people shiver with cold as the Mercury settled at minus 4.8 degrees Celsius. Sunday’s minimum temperature was 1.0 degrees Celsius less than Saturday’s minimum temperature of minus 5.8 degrees Celsius, the coldest night of this winter season so far.
Leh in Ladakh division was the coldest place in the State with the minimum temperature of minus 18.2 degrees Celsius while as the maximum temperature was recorded as 4.0 degrees Celsius. Kargil also in Ladakh was the second coldest place with the minimum temperature of minus 14.4 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature of 2.0 degrees Celsius.
In the Kashmir valley, Pahalgam the world renowned health resort in South Kashmir was the coldest place with the minimum temperature of minus 11.4 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature of 2.5 degrees Celsius. Qazigund, also falling in South of Kashmir and considered to be the gateway of Kashmir shivered with the minimum temperature of minus 8.2 degrees Celsius while as the maximum temperature was recorded as 6.3 degrees Celsius.
The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg in North Kashmir was also shivering with cold as the minimum temperature was recorded as minus 8.0 degrees Celsius. Day temperature in frontier district of Kupwara was more than that of Srinagar as the Mercury settled at 4.8 degrees Celsius while as the minimum temperature was less than that of Srinagar as the same was recorded as minus 5.3 degrees Celsius. Jammu, the winter capital of state recorded the day temperature of 19.4 degrees Celsius with the minimum temperature being recorded as 5.8 degrees Celsius.
Due to unprecedented sub-zero night temperature in Kashmir water bodies including the Dal Lake have once again frozen. Huge slabs of ice have been formed on the fringes of the Dal Lake and the boatmen could be seen breaking the ice slabs with their oar while paddling their way on the waters of this world famous water body.
Meanwhile, an official of Meteorological Department said that light rain/snow may occur at isolated places in the State.
The official said that sky would be generally cloudy in Srinagar with the maximum and minimum temperatures being around 6.0 degrees Celsius and minus 3.0 degrees Celsius respectively. He said that in Jammu the sky would be partly cloudy with the maximum and minimum temperatures being around 19.0 degrees Celsius and 6.0 degrees Celsius respectively.
A statement from Divisional Commissioner’s office today said that subject to fair weather, two sorties of AN-32 Kargil Courier, Indian Air Force, have been planned on Monday between Kargil and Srinagar. Passengers have been asked to contact the concerned Liaison Officer.
Meanwhile, the statement said arrangements have also been made for airlifting stranded passengers of Gurez. Two sorties of Mi-17 have been planned between Bandipora to Kanzalwan and Bandipora to Baruab on Monday. Passengers can contact the Additional DC Bandipora and SDM Gurez, the statement added.
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