Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Dec 27: Kashmir valley is reeling under intense cold wave conditions with mercury below freezing point and weatherman has forecast cloudy sky with possibility of rain at isolated places across Kashmir.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.9 degree Celsius, an increase of over two degrees from the previous night’s minus 3.2 degrees Celsius while day temperature settled at 8.4 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund recorded a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius as compared to the previous night’s minus 4.0 degrees Celsius and the day temperature settled at 8.4 degree Celsius.
Pahalgam, recorded a low of minus 1.9 degree Celsius, an increase of nearly three degrees from minus 4.4 degree Celsius of the previous night and the day temperature settled at 5.8 degree Celsius.
Kupwara town in North Kashmir and Kokernag in South Kashmir also registered an increase in the minimum temperature as the mercury settled at minus 0.8 degree Celsius and minus 1.8 degree Celsius respectively. The day temperatures of Kupwara and Kokernag settled at 9.1 degree Celsius and 7 degree Celsius respectively.
The minimum temperature at the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg, however, registered a decrease of nearly two degrees from the previous night’s minus 5.7 degree Celsius to settle at minus 7.6 degree Celsius. Gulmarg was the coldest recorded place in the State. The day temperature settled at 2.3 degree Celsius.
Mercury in Leh, went up by over five notches from the previous night’s minus 10.1 degrees Celsius to settle at minus 4.7 degrees Celsius. The day temperature settled at 1.5 degree Celsius.
The MeT office said the sky would remain cloudy over the Valley and there is a possibility of rainfall at isolated places today.
Kashmir valley is currently under the grip of the 40-day harsh winter period known as ‘Chillai-Kalan’ which began on December 21 and during which the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum.
The temperatures also drop during this period leading to shivering cold across the State. The Chillai-Kalan ends on January 31 next year, the cold wave usually continues even after that as it is followed by a 20-day long Chillai-Khurd and a 10-day long Chillai-Bachha.
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