Temps plummet across Kashmir

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 17: Amid forecast for mainly dry weather for next 24 hours and light rain and snowfall on weekend, mercury plummeted in Kashmir and Mughal Road that remained closed for 4 days due to snowfall re-opened for traffic today.
Authorities today reopened the historic Mughal Road, connecting twin districts of Ponnch and Rajouri with Shopian, for traffic.
The vehicles were permitted to move after snow clearance work was completed. The road had been closed for nearly four days after fresh snowfall near Pir Ki Gali.
A Meteorological Department official  said that Srinagar recorded a low of 1.2°C against 2.4°C the previous night. The temperature was 0.6°C above normal for the city for this time of the year.
Qazigund recorded a low of 3.6°C against 4.7°C the previous night. The temperature was 2.8°C above normal for the town.
In Pahalgam, the mercury settled at minus 3.4°C against minus 2.4°C the previous night and it was 1.4°C below normal for the resort.
Kokernag recorded a low of 3.1°C against 3.2°C the previous night and it was 1.5°C above normal for the place.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 3.6°C, the same as on the previous night. It was 2.1°C below normal for the skiing resort.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 0.1°C against 0.8°C the previous night. It was 0.1°C above normal for the place.
In Drass, the minimum temperature settled at minus 12.2°C.
The MeT  department has forecast mainly dry weather till Friday. An official said that on November 19th (late afternoon) to 20th November (morning), light  rain/snow is expected over many places of Kashmir Division especially over higher reaches and plains of Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal and parts of Srinagar and Budgam districts.  “Mostly dry weather is expected over the Jammu division during next one week,”   he added.