Kashmir reels under cold wave, temp plummets

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 2: Kashmir continued to reel under extreme cold conditions as the mercury stayed several degrees below the freezing point across the Valley last night with Srinagar shivering at minus 4.3 degree Celsius. However, the day temperature across the Valley stayed above normal.
In Srinagar mercury settled at minus 4.3 degrees Celsius last night. Bright sunshine during the days has led to cold wave intensifying in the valley while many stagnant water bodies have a thin layer of ice formed every night. The day temperature of Srinagar stayed at 10.2 degree Celsius, 3.3 degrees normal.
Mercury in Qazigund in South Kashmir settled at a low of minus 4.6 degrees Celsius while the day temperature settled at 10.4 degree Celsius, 3.3 degrees above normal.
Kokernag town recorded a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius while Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a low of minus 4.3 degrees Celsius last night. The day temperatures of Kokernag and Kupwara settled at 8.2 degrees Celsius and 12.0 degrees Celsius, 3.1 degrees  and 4.9 degrees above normal respectively.
The mercury at the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg in North Kashmir settled at a low of minus 6.0 degrees Celsius. The day temperature settled at 3.0 degrees Celsius, 1.4 degrees above normal.
The night temperature in Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 6.6 degrees Celsius while day temperature settled at 8.1 degrees Celsius, 3.3 degrees above normal.
Leh was the coldest recorded place in the State last night as the minimum temperature fell slightly from yesterday’s minus 14.5 degrees Celsius to minus 14.7 degrees. The day temperature settled at 0.6 degree Celsius.
Kargil town was much warmed during the day but the minimum temperature was 6.1 degrees below the freezing point. The day temperature settled at minus 2.0 degrees Celsius.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of Chillai-Kalan, a 40-day harshest period of winter, when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum and the temperature drops considerably.
It ends on January 31 next year, but the cold wave continues even after that in the valley.
The 40-day period is followed by a 20-day long Chillai- Khurd (small cold) and a 10-day long Chillai-Bachha (baby cold).

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