Early Times Report
Srinagar, Jan 2: There was some respite from chilly weather conditions during the night as the mercury surged and settled above normal at most places in Kashmir valley, where light rain or snow is predicted from Friday. However, weather remained chilly during the day due to overcast conditions coupled with ice cold winds in the valley. A Met department spokesperson said that light rain or snow would occur at isolated places in Kashmir during the next 24 hours. ''We were expected widespread rain and snow from Thursday, but due to high pressure in the region it got delayed,'' he said. He said widespread to fairly widespread rain and snow would occur in Kashmir for 48 hours from Friday, resulting in improvement in the night temperature though mercury during the day would fall. ''Another Western Disturbance (WD), which originated from the Arabian Sea and is approaching the region though Afghanistan and Pakistan, will hit the region on Monday. The system created by this WD is stronger and would result in more rain and snow,'' he added. Meanwhile, people continued to suffer in Drass, which was the coldest place in the region at minus 22.8 degree, followed by border town of Leh, where the mercury dipped about 5 degrees from Wednesday and settled at minus 18.3 degree. The night temperature in the summer capital, Srinagar, improved about 2 degrees from Wednesday and settled at minus 2.8 degree, which is slightly above normal. However, people woke up to a chilly and fogy Thursday morning in the city. As the day progressed chill further intensified due to overcast conditions coupled with ice cold winds. Local residents in many areas of Srinagar could be seen early in the morning burning wood to de-freeze frozen tapes to restore water supply in their homes. Meanwhile, auto-drivers and transporters, besides mechanics were keeping themselves warm in the morning by burning wood on the road sides. World famous tourist resort of Gulmarg, where the ski slopes are covered under several feet of snow, was the coldest places in the valley.
Against minus 11 degree recorded on Wednesday, the night temperature improved and settled at minus 8.6 degree in the ski resort.
But, despite chilly weather conditions, adventure loves were enjoying different snow related activities, including skiing, in the ski resort.
The mercury at world famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, also improved and settled at minus 6.4 degree, against minus 6.9 degree recorded on Wednesday.
Tuckers and transporters burning wood underneath their vehicles to de-freeze diesel was a common scene at Qazigund, the gateway to Kashmir valley, where the mercury again improved about 2 degree and settled at minus 4.3 degree.
The night temperature in Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kokernag settled at minus 3.2 degree and minus 7 degree. |
