Weather improves, more rains predicted

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Apr 5: Weather in Kashmir valley today improved even as Meteorological Department has predicted downpour for next two days.
After three days, there was no rainfall in any part of the Valley and the mercury also went up by several notches. The Sun which hid behind the clouds for three days also came out and people were seen basking.
A MeT official said there is possibility of light rain/thundershower on Wednesday while isolated rains are expected on Thursday and fairly widespread on Friday. The MeT official said that the day temperature in Srinagar was up by four notches as maximum temperature was recorded 17.9 degree Celsius and minimum temperature was 8.4 degree Celsius.
Qazigund, recorded 14.6 degree Celsius maximum temperature while minimum temperature settled at 7.4 degree Celsius. Pahalgam, which serves as Base Camp for annual Amarnath pilgrimage, recorded 12.6 degree Celsius day temperature and night temperature settled at 3.5 degree Celsius.
The MeT official said maximum temperature in Gulmarg, a star skiing destination, was recorded 4.2 degree Celsius while the night temperature settled at 0.2 degree Celsius. Kokernag in South Kashmir recorded 13.7 degree Celsius as maximum temperature and 6.9 degree Celsius minimum temperature.
The day temperature in Kupwara settled at 19.8 degree Celsius while the minimum temperature remained 6.6 degree Celsius. Leh, which is also called cold desert, recorded a 13.7 degree Celsius as maximum temperature and minimum was 0.9 degree Celsius. The neighbouring Kargil recorded 6.1 degree Celsius maximum temperature while the minimum was -1.3 degree Celsius.
In view of medium danger avalanche warning for some avalanche prone areas above 3500 meters altitude in Baramulla for next 24 hours, Deputy Commissioner, Yasha Mudgal has directed all people living in these areas that they should not venture in these areas during the period, an official spokesman said here.
“Moreover, all concerned officers have also been directed to remain present at their headquarters round the clock to cater any emergency,” he said.