*Gulmarg coldest at -6.5 deg C
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 31: The day temperature continued to rise in Jammu region while night temperature settled below the freezing point across Kashmir, but rose in most areas, as Saturday marked the beginning of ‘Chillai Khurd’ and end of the harshest winter period.
The Meteorological department, however, has forecast light to moderate rain or snow, especially in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir during next 24 hours.
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The weatherman has said that night temperature in Srinagar city settled at minus 0.1 degrees Celsius last night, down from the previous night’s 1.3 degrees Celsius. This was 0.5 degrees above the seasonal normal.
While the temperature data for several places, including Sonamarg in Ganderbal district, was not available, the ski- resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla district was the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 6.5 degrees Celsius up from the previous night’s minus 10.6 degrees.
Officials said Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, up from minus 5.3 degrees Celsius the previous night.
In Qazigund, the minimum temperature settled at minus 2.2 degrees, up from minus 0.3 degrees, while Kokernag and Kupwara recorded lows of minus 3.0 degrees and minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The winter capital Jammu today recorded a day temperature of 19.8 deg C about 2 degree less than yesterday. The night temperature has however, experienced a rise and settled at 10.2 deg C.
Katra Mata Vaishnodevi recorded a maximum temperature of 18.0 deg C and minimum 9.0 deg; Batote town a night temperature of 4.2, Bhaderwah 0.6 deg C, Banihal 0.8 deg, Udhampur town 1.8 deg C, and Rajouiri 4.7 deg C on Saturday.
A 20-day ‘Chillai Khurd’ (small cold) began on Saturday, after the culmination of the 40-day harshest winter period, ‘Chillai-Kalan’. Chillai-Khurd will be followed by the 10-day ‘Chillai Bacha’ (baby cold).
The Meteorological department has said the weather will remain cloudy, and there is a possibility of light to moderate rain or snow, especially in the higher reaches, with thunder or gusty winds at many places on Saturday evening and Sunday.
Light rain, with snow in the higher reaches, is possible at scattered to many places on February 2-3, however, from February 4 to Feb 6, it will remain partly cloudy across the region.
The advisory issued by the Administration said that travelers and transporters should confirm road/ highway status from the Traffic Control Units and follow advisory. The farmers have been advised to suspend farming operations during next seven days. The people in the snow bound areas are further advised not to venture in sloppy and avalanche prone areas.
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