Cold wave continues in Kashmir, rain and snow likely

Minimum temperature in Srinagar dropped by almost a degree to settle at a low of minus 4.0 degree Celsius as compared to 3.3 degrees the previous night.

Thoise valley in Ladakh region, which has a military airfield, remained frozen at minus 17.0 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and mercury dipped to minus 13.2 degrees Celsius in Leh town of the region.

The weather department has forecast a partly cloudy day on Thursday.

Minimum temperatures have plummeted in the state because of continued spell of dry weather and clear night sky. “For the safety from the weather’s sudden change, I had my jacket in the bag, but it was not needed”, Akshay Saxena, a young executive in an IT firm in Noida told IANS.

Followed by the nearby Kargil which recorded a minimum of minus 9.0 degrees Celsius against yesterday’s minus 10.2 degrees Celsius, the spokesperson said. “While we can say that precipitation will be there from January 4, the possibility of snowfall is more on the intervening night of January 4 and 5”, the Director said.

“Srinagar recorded minus 3.8 degrees Celsius as minimum temperature, Pahalgam minus 5.3 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg minus 5.8 degrees Celsius and Kupwara town recorded minus three degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature on Saturday”.

He said day and night temperature in Qazigund was recorded as 7.0 degree Celsius and -2.4 degree Celsius respectively.

The minimum temperature recorded a slight improvement in Srinagar as the mercury settled at minus 3.3 degrees Celsius against yesterday’s minus 3.

Kashmir Valley is now 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.