SRINAGAR : The night temperature dipped further and settled several degrees below freezing point due to open skies in Kashmir valley, where another spell of rain and snow is predicted from Friday onwards.
However, the maximum temperature remained above normal due to sunshine across the valley.
The border town of Leh in the Union Territory of Ladakh was the coldest place in the region at minus 8.4 degree, followed by Kargil with minus 4.6 degree.
A Met department spokesperson told UNI that the weather will remain dry on Thursday, resulting in further dip in the minimum temperature. However, he said a fresh Western Disturbance (WD), which originated from the Arabian Sea and is approaching the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan, will hit the region on Friday evening.
He said under the influence of the WD, light snow is expected at isolated to scattered places of Kashmir and Zojila area of Ladakh from Friday evening onwards. “There is more than 70 per cent chance of fresh spell of light to moderate snow at many places of Kashmir, Drass and Zojila on December 7 and December 8,” he said, adding this spell seems to be weaker than the previous once but could lead to temporary closure of Srinagar-Leh national highway.
People woke up to a chilly Thursday morning in the summer capital, Srinagar, where the night temperature dipped further and settled at minus 1.4 degree, which is 0.5 degree below normal.
However, as the day progressed, there was some improvement in the day temperature as sun came out though the intensity of the heavy was very low. The maximum temperature recorded on Wednesday was 2 degree above normal.
Auto-drivers and mechanics had burned wood early in the morning on roadsides to keep themselves warm in the city, where people are forced to use traditional means of heating due to frequent power cuts.
World famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, was the coldest place in Kashmir valley as the mercury during the night dipped over 1 degree from Wednesday and settled at minus 3.8 degree. The night temperature at the health resort, where the mountains are covered under several feet of snow, was slightly below normal.
Despite chilly weather conditions, tourists were out on ski slopes at world famous health resort of Gulmarg, which received about 2 to 3 feet of fresh snowfall last month, enjoying different snow related activities. The night temperature at Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, dipped about a degree from Wednesday and settled at minus 2.5 degree, which is slightly above normal.
“Since snowfall, tourist footfall in Gulmarg, which is known for its ski slopes and quality of snow, has increased though it is still very less as compared to previous years,” a hotelier said over the phone.
He said that the people associated with tourism industry are hopeful that the footfall will increased further in the coming days due to early snowfall.
The night temperature at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir, and tourist resort of Kokernag settled at minus 0.8 degree, minus 1.8 degree and 0.4 degree, respectively. (agencies)
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