SRINAGAR : After witnessing first major snowfall, the world famous ski resort of Gulmarg recorded the coldest night of the season so far as chill revisted Kashmir.
Leh was cold with minus 11.7 degree Celsius and Kargil recorded minus 11.4 degree witnessed considerable drop in the night temperature as the weather remained dry with only traces of rain though sky was cloudy. Met department director Sonam Lotus said the Western disturbance which hit theregion on January 21 has turned weak after moderate to heavy snowfall in the upper reaches. Plains, including summer capital, Srinagar, still awaits first snowfall of the winter when only a week is left to end the
40-day-long Chilai-e-Kalan, which was being coldest period. Mr Lotus said the weather will remain mainly dry in the Valley. However, there could be light rain or snowfall, on upper reaches in the Valley, besides Kargil during the next 24 hours.
Weather will remain dry during the subsequent four days, he said, adding that this will result in a drop in the night temperature and increase in the maximum temperature. The minimum temperature witnessed about four degree drop at
Gulmarg, where the ski slopes turned white after two feet of snowfall, first major this winter.
A Met department spokesman said the ski resort recorded coldest night of the season after the minimum temperature dropped to minus 7.8 degree against yesterday’s minus 4 degree. Earlier coldest day was recorded with minus 6.4 degree, on December 25.
Gulmarg records coldest night, chill revisits Kashmir after snowfall
Pahalgam also witnessed eight degree drop in its minimum temperature. Against yesterday’s 0 degree minimum temperature, it was minus 7.6 degree, the spokesman said. However, Leh and Kargil, a border town in Ladakh region were coldest after witnessing five to six degree drop in the night temperature.
At Leh the minimum temperature was minus 11.7 degree against yesterdays minus 6.2 degree while at Kargil it was minus 11.4 degree against yesterdays minus 5 degree. Leh and Kargil are yet to receive major snowfall this winter. People in summer capital, Srinagar, are yet to experience first snowfall though there was light 3.3 mm rainfall on January 21 night.
The WD, originating in Arabia Sea, had almost no impact in Srinagar and other plains in the Vlley, where only light to moderate rain had been received.
The spokesman said the night temperature will drop further while the maximum temperature will improve because of dry weather and open sky.
He said against yesterday’s 1.8 degree minimum temperature, it was 0.6 degree in Srinagar.
(AGENCIES)
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