SRINAGAR : Snow on rooftops and both sides of roads remained frozen in the Kashmir valley, including this summer capital, where the minimum temperature recorded a considerable drop though the Sun was appearing during the day but the intensity of heat was very low due to icy cold winds.
While the world famous ski resort of Gulmarg was freezing at minus 13 degree C, the famed health resort of Pahalgam recorded minus 12.4 degree C, coldest of the season so far at both the places.
However, Leh at minus 16 degree was the coldest in the region and border town of Kargil recorded minus 14 degree in Ladakh region, where all water bodies remained frozen.
Against yesterday’s minus 13 degree C, the minimum temperature at Leh was minus 16 degree C, coldest so far while at Kargil it was minus 14 degree C against yesterday’s minus 12.4 degree C.
As the weather will remain dry, the minimum temperature would witness a further drop but the day temperature could be near normal during the next 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir, a Met department spokesman said.
Snow, experienced last week, remained frozen on majority rooftops and both sides of roads as people woke up this morning in the summer capital.
Almost all the roads had become slippery, affecting pedestrian and vehicular movement after the minimum temperature recorded further drop as against yesterday’s minus 2.8 degree, it was minus 4.1 degree, more than three notches below normal.
The world famous Dal Lake in the heart of the city was again partially frozen near banks. However, the frozen parts were melting as the day progressed. But water surface in the interior of the lake remained frozen.
Students attending tuition centres and coaching classes were the worst hit as they had to reach their classes before 0800 hrs in the morning.
Gulmarg, a famed ski resort, where the world class slopes are under five to six feet of snow, was the coldest in the valley after the mercury witnessed further drop due to clear sky during the night. Against minus 12 degree minimum temperature, it was minus 13 degree, six notches below normal.
The entire north Kashmir was also under serve grip of cold with the result all water bodies and taps were frozen. Kupwara, where a number of roads to far-flung and remote areas, including those near the Line of Control (LoC) remained closed due to snowfall, also witnessed drop of minimum temperature. Against yesterday’s minus 5.5 degree, it was minus 6.2 degree, more than four notches below normal.
Pahalgam, famed health resort in south Kashmir also recorded more than 6 degree drop in the minimum temperature. Against yesterday’s minus 6.2 degree minimum temperature due to clear sky during the night, it was minus 12.4 degree, more than five notches below normal. The water level in the water bodies, including river Lidder passing through Pahalgam, has also dropped as snow on upper heights remained frozen.
After recent snowfall the minimum temperature also recorded considerable drop due to open sky during the night in south Kashmir. At Qazigund, gateway of Kashmir on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the minimum temperature was minus 4.2 degree C against yesterday’s minus 2.6 degree while at tourist resort of Kokernag the mercury witnessed three notches drop. Against yesterday’s minus 3.4 degree, it was minus 5.9 degree, two notches below normal. (agencies)
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