 Early Times Report
Srinagar, Jan 28 : After witnessing above normal minimum temperatures for the past about a week, night chill returned in the Kashmir valley, where sun was out on Monday, though icy cold winds are continuing from the snow covered mountains.
People are gearing up again for yet another spell of weather woes as there could be widespread rain or snow in the Kashmir valley and Jammu region and scattered and fairly widespread rain or snow in Ladakh region from January 30, a day after 40-day-long Chilai Kalan, the severe chilly period of winter which commenced from December 21.
This winter also kept the farmers away from agricultural activities as the lands were barren in the season. However, with using latest technology, particularly green houses farmers are now growing vegetables.
The Kalan will be followed by 20 days of Chilai Khurd and later ten day Chilai Bacha.
A Met department spokesman warned here this afternoon that there could be isolated rain or snow in the Kashmir division on January 29, which will be followed by isolated widespread rain or snow during subsequent two days.
Similarly, he said, isolated heavy rain or snow could occur from January 30 and 31 in Jammu and Ladakh regions, where majority of water bodies remained frozen.
Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia in Ladakh region recorded coldest night of the season after the minimum temperature dropped and settled minus 31.4 degree. However, he said the temperature of border district of Kargil, on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, closed since December last year, was minus 20.7 degree.
He said the minimum temperature at Leh also recorded about half a notch drop and settled at minus 15.9 degree.
Spokesman said the sky would be mainly clear to generally cloudy and the maximum and minimum temperatures at Leh would be around minus 1 degree and minus 15 degree respectively during the next 24 hours.
During the night, the minimum temperature recorded considerable drop in majority places in the Kashmir valley, including summer capital, Srinagar.
However, sun was out today though icy cold winds also continued forcing people to wear woolen and warm cloths.
The world famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, recorded minus 13.6 degree, over six notches below normal.
The water level in majority water bodies, including river Lidder passing through Pahalgam has dropped as the snow on mountains remained frozen. The hotel owners there have removed main water pipes to avoid their damage and have now employed labourers for bring water from streams.
Gulmarg, the major tourist attraction during these days, was second coldest after the minimum temperature recorded about a degree drop. Against yesterdays minus 12 degree, it was minus 12.7 degree, over eight notches below normal.
Qazigund, gateway of Kashmir on Srinagar-Jammu national, and Kokernag in south Kashmir recorded minus 5 and minus 3.7 degree minimum temperature respectively.
The summer capital, Srinagar, witnessed a drop of over two degree and settled at minus 3.5 degree, 2.5 degree below normal.
Met spokesman said the sky would be mainly clear to generally cloudy and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 8 degree and minus 4 degree respectively during the next 24 hours in Srinagar. |
