Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 25: After two days of relief from intense cold weather conditions, the mercury again plummeted in Kashmir with Srinagar recording minus 5.2 degree Celsius and Weatherman forecasting further dip in temperatures in coming days.
The cloud cover ahead of the weekend’s snowfall had kept the night temperature around the freezing point for two consecutive nights in most parts but the respite ended as the temperature plummeted across the Valley.
A Meteorological Department official said that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 5.2 degree Celsius against minus 1.9 degree Celsius the previous night, the temperature was about 3 degrees below the normal for this time of the year.
The mercury settled at minus 11.9 degree Celsius in Pahalgam against minus 12.0 degree Celsius the previous night and was the coldest place across the valley.
Qazigund recorded a low of minus 5.5 degree Celsius against 3.0 degree Celsius the previous night while Kokernag recorded a minimum of minus 8.4 degree Celsius against 3.6 degree Celsius the previous night.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 11.5 degree Celsius against minus 11.0 degree Celsius the preivous night. The mercury settled at minus 3.1 degree Celsius in the in Kupwara against minus 4.2 degree Celsius the previous night.
The weatherman has forecast mainly dry weather till January 31 and during these days the temperatures will further plummet.
After having relief on tap water front for two days, the taps across the Valley froze again today causing water shortage. The water bodies including Dal lake again froze today causing difficulties for boatmen to row their boats in Dal lake. They were seen cutting ice for rowing.
The roads had turned into sheet of ice and it was causing problems in commuting as the vehicles were skidding on the roads.
Kashmir is in the middle Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day winter period which commenced on December 21 and ends on January 31. The period is considered the harshest of the winter when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum.
The cold wave, however, continues even after that in Kashmir with a 20-day-long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day-long ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).
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