Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 10: Dark clouds envoloped the sky today, generating a hope to end the long dry weather conditions in the Kashmir valley, where night temperature has further improved despite a chilly day.
Former state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concern and worry about the change in the weather conditions in the valley, where 20-day-long period of Chilai-e-Khurd was in progress after the 40-day-long Chilai-e-Kalan (CeK) witnessed almost dry weather. CeK is considered to be the harshest period of winter, starting from December 21. Though sun made a brief appearance this morning after an above normal night temperature,'' as the day progressed,'' the sky was covered under dark clouds, generating a hope to end the long dry weather.
A Met department spokesman said here this afternoon that there is possibility of fairly widespread rain and snow in the valley which will be followed by widespread rain and snow during the next 24 hours. There could be scattered and isolated rain or snow on February 12 and 13 respectively in the valley followed by dry weather during subsequent two days. The plains in the valley had received very less rain and snow during the months of December and January though upper reaches had moderate to heavy snowfall.
The summer capital, Srinagar, and other plains are yet to receive major snowfall this winter which is seen as affect of global warming. Abdullah, taking to micro blogging site Twitter said, “It's not even the middle of Feb & my pansies & narcissus are blooming. What happened to winter”????. Farmers, particularly horticulturalists, praying for wet weather, are also worried saying that dry weather will badly hit the fruit crops.
There was major improvement in the night temperature mainly due to cloudy sky.
The summer capital, Srinagar, witnessed more than three degree improvement in the minimum temperature. Against yesterday’s mius 0.8 degree, it was 2.5 degree, about three notches above normal.
Spokesman said there could be rain or snow and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 7 degree, two notches below normal and 00 degree respectively in the city during the next 24 hours.
Gulmarg, world famous ski resort in north Kashmir recorded lowest minimum temperature though it was still above normal. Against yesterdays minus 2.2 degree, it was minus 2 degree, four notches above normal at the ski resort, a major tourist attraction throughout the year.
There was also major improvement in the night temperature at Pahalgam, 100 km from here in south Kashmir. Against yesterdays minimum temperature of minus 3 degree, it was minus 0.3 degree, five notches above normal.
Qazigund recorded 0.2 degree minimum temperature, Kokernag 3.5 degree and Kupwara 0.4 degree, he said adding it was above normal at all the three places.
Against minus 6.6 degree, the minimum temperature at Leh was minus 6 degree while the temperature of border town of Kargil was not available, he said.
There could be light rain or snow and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 2 degree and minus 3 degree respectively at Leh during the next 24 hours.
At winter capital, Jammu, rain or thundershowers would occur and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 17 degree and 8 degree respectively during the next 24 hours. |
