SRINAGAR : Even though the ‘Chali-e-Kalan’, coldest period of winter, is still a month away, people shivered in the Kashmir valley, including summer capital, Srinagar, which recorded minus 1.2 degree, the coldest night of the season so far.
More trouble is in store for the people as there is forecast of dry weather and clear sky which could result in further drop in the temperature during the next 72 hours in the valley. People are bracing up for a harsh winter this year after facing a devastating flood, which damaged property worth billions of rupees in September.
After recording the coldest night with minus 1.2 degree minimum temperature, people woke up to a foggy morning in the summer capital,Srinagar, where frequent and unscheduled power cuts have become a daily routine after September floods. The earlier coldest night on November 19 when the mercury dropped to minus 0.5 degree.
However, as the day progressed visibility improved and the sun was out though icy chilly winds continued forcing people to remain indoor in the morning hours. Doctors have also advised children and elderly people to avoid going out during morning and night hours because of cold. Long queues of patients, mostly suffering from bad cold, headache and throat and chest infection, could be seen outside the pharmacies shops and clinics in the morning and evening hours. A Met department spokesman said the weather will remain dry during the next 24 hours and there will be no large change during the subsequent four days. This, he said, could result in further drop in the minimum temperature though day will be near normal. Pahalgam in south Kashmir was however, coldest in the valley as the minimum temperature remained minus 3.5 degree, which was 1.5 degree below normal.
World famous ski resort of Gulmarg also witnessed a drop in the mercury during the past 24 hours. Against yesterday’s minus 0.8 degree, the minimum temperature there was minus 1.5 degree, though half a degree above normal.
Qazigund, gateway of Kashmir on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, recorded minus 2.6 degree minimum temperature, Kokernag and Kupwara minus 1.2 degeee, which was on to three degree below normal.
In Ladakh region, there was no respite from the cold as the mercury continued to drop because of open sky during the night. Met spokesman said at Leh the minimum temperature was minus 10.3 degree against yesterdays minus 10 degree and Kargil recorded minus 9.8 degree for the past three days. (AGENCIES)
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