by Urvat IL Wuska
SRINAGAR: Cold wave conditions continued in the Kashmir Valley on Friday as minimum temperatures remained below the freezing point.
The Metrological department Kashmir has forecast mainly wet weather conditions from the evening of January 22 to the forenoon of January 25.
“Under its influence widespread rain (in plains of Jammu), snow in Kashmir and light snow in scattered places of Kargil, Zanskar and higher reaches of Leh district will occur most likely during Friday night to Sunday forenoon with the main activity on Saturday,” said the MeT department.
“The intensity of the spell is most likely to be lesser than the previous spell. This may lead to temporary disruption of surface and air transport especially on January 23,” a statement by the meteorological (MET) department said.
The ongoing 40-day long harsh period of winter cold ‘Chillai Kalan’ will end on January 31.
Pahalgam, the famous health resort which also serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir was the coldest place in the Valley where minimum temperature was minus 7.0 degrees.
Srinagar, the summer capital of the state recorded a low of minus 6.1 degrees Celsius while Qazigund in south Kashmir registered a low of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius.
The famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir, which experienced heavy snowfall on various occasions recorded a low of minus 6.0 degrees Celsius.
Kokernag town recorded a low of minus 6.5 degrees Celsius while Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a low of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius last night.
Jammu city recorded 7.5 degrees Celsius, Katra 7.8, Batote 2.4, Banihal recorded minus 0.3 and Bhaderwah recorded 0.2 degrees Celsius as the night’s lowest temperatures.