Early Times Report
Srinagar, Jan 21: The chilly weather conditions continued unabated with the mercury dipping further and settling several degrees below normal in the summer capital, Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley, where a fresh spell of snow is predicted from Friday onwards.
Meanwhile, the maximum temperature also witnessed a dip due to overcast conditions in the valley.
A Met department spokesperson said that weather will remain dry during the next 24 hours in Kashmir valley.
He, however, 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 Thursday. "Under the influence of this WD, light snow is predicted on Friday at some places. The system will intensify, resulting in light to moderate snow at most places on Saturday and Sunday," he said, adding heavy snow is predicted at isolated places on January 23.
After witnessing a dip of about a degree in the night temperature from Wednesday, people in the summer capital, Srinagar, woke up to a chilly and foggy Thursday morning. Chilly weather conditions continued throughout the day due to overcast conditions, coupled with ice-cold winds.
World-famous Dal Lake and other water-bodies remained frozen in Srinagar, where authorities have warned people, particularly youth and children, not to walk on the frozen water. Against minus 6 degree Celsius recorded on Wednesday, the night temperature in the city settled at minus 7 degree, which is 5 degrees below normal.
World famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, was the coldest place in the valley even as the mercury dipped a degree from Wednesday and settled at minus 9.3 degree, which is 2 degree below normal.
The night temperature at the world-famous ski resort of Gulmarg dipped and settled below normal for the first time during the last couple of days. Against minus 6.5 degrees recorded on Wednesday, the night temperature at the ski resort settled at minus 7.8 degree, which is slightly below normal.
"All the hotels in the resort are booked and people associated with tourism are very happy as they are doing brisk business," a hotelier from Gulmarg said over the phone.
He said tourists are taking advantage of sunny days in the ski resort and enjoying different snow-related activities. "All the ski slopes have been thrown open for tourists and other adventure sports lovers," he added.
The mercury at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kukernag settled at minus 8.8 degrees, 6.9 degree and minus 6.9 degree, respectively
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