Dal lake, other water bodies start freezing
Udhampur shivers at -1.0, Samba 1.8 deg C
Fayaz Bukhari / Gopal Sharma
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Jan 9: Cold wave in Kashmir and many parts of Jammu intensified further today with several parts of the region including capital city Srinagar recording the season’s coldest night leading to freezing of water bodies and taps.
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Srinagar recorded a low of minus 6.0 degrees Celsius last night, down from the minus 5.1 degrees Celsius on the previous night. It was the season’s coldest night in the city so far this season, and the minimum temperature was 4.1 degrees below the season’s normal.
The bone-chilling cold conditions led to the freezing of the parts of several water bodies, including the interiors and fringes of the Dal Lake. The subzero temperatures led to freezing of the water taps as well.
The tourist place of Pahalgam was the coldest recorded place in the region as the minimum temperature there settled at minus 7.6 degrees Celsius, though up by one degree from the previous night.
The night temperature in the popular ski-resort of Gulmarg settled at a low of minus 7.2 degrees Celsius, two degrees up from the previous night.
The tourist resort of Sonamarg registered a low of minus 5.4 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Qazigund settled at minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, the season’s coldest.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius and Kupwara minus 5.8 degrees Celsius.
However, day temperatures across the region stayed several notches up as it was a sunny day in Kashmir.
Srinagar recorded a maximum of 10.8 degree Celsius, Qazigund 11.4 degree Celsius, Pahalgam 7.8 degree Celsius, Kupwara 11.3 degree Celsius, Kokernag of 9.6 degree Celsius and Gulmarg 3.8 degree Celsius. It was 4.2 degree Celsius, 5.2 degree Celsius, 3.1 degree Celsius, 4.3 degree Celsius, 4.6 degree Celsius and 3.1 degree Celsius above normal respectively for these places.
Jammu region is also under the grip of severe cold conditions. However, slight improvement has been witnessed in foggy weather conditions. It was sunny day in Jammu today but sharp fall in the night temperatures has been observed in the region.
Jammu recorded a minimum temperature of 5.4 deg C today, about 2 degrees low as compared to yesterday’s temperature. The day temperature in the City however, remained 15.9 deg C.
Udhampur recorded a night temperature of -1.0 degree Celsius, the lowest in the season so far. A 3- degree fall in the night temperature has been experienced in Udhampur town during last 24 hours. Samba experienced a minimum temperature of 1.8 deg C last night, which is also lowest so far during these winters.
Bhaderwah, the tourist destination of Jammu region, recorded a minimum temperature of -3.4 deg C and maximum 13.0 deg on Friday. Katra Mata Vaishnodevi recorded a night temperature of 3.5 deg C and maximum 16.0, Banihal a minimum temperature of -0.9 while Batote a night temperature of 1.0 deg C today.
Rajouri town recorded a night temperature of -1.7 degree C, Poonch 1.5 deg, Ramban town 0.5 deg C, Doda 0.8 deg, Kishtwar town 0.9 deg C, Reasi 4.6 deg and while Kathua 6.0 deg C temperature last night.
The flight operation improved in Jammu today due to moderate fog and good sun shine during the day. Only one flight was delayed while rest of 15 flights operated normally. The train service has also improved.
Kashmir valley is currently in the midst of ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, 40 days of extreme cold, during which night temperatures often drop several degrees below the freezing point, and the chances of snowfall are the highest. ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, which began on December 21 last year, ends on January 30.
The plains of the valley have not received any snowfall so far this season.
The India Meteorological Department has said the weather is likely to remain dry but cloudy till January 21.
It said the night temperatures would witness a significant fall in the Valley till January 10, after which they are likely to rise by one to two degrees.
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