Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Dec 30: Kashmir valley is reeling under intense cold and dry weather conditions with night temperatures dipping several notches below freezing while the day temperature is above normal due to sunny days.
The dry and cold weather conditions have led to increase in respiratory diseases among people across Kashmir and weatherman has forecast no change in weather till January 4. The doctors have advised people, especially children and elderly, to avoid coming out of their homes during morning and evening hours.
The minimum temperature recorded a slight improvement in Srinagar as the mercury settled at minus 3.3 degree Celsius against yesterday’s minus 3. 7 degree Celsius. The day temperature settled at 11. 3 degree Celsius, three notches above normal.
Gulmarg in North Kashmir remained the coldest place in the Kashmir valley with a low of minus 7.5 degrees Celsius. The night temperature dropped by almost one degree compared the previous night. However, the day temperature settled at 4.5 degree Celsius.
Tourists and locals have started flocking Gulmarg to welcome New year though the weathermen has forecast continued dry weather for the next five days.
Pahalgam hill resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 5.4 degree Celsius against yesterday’s minus 6.4 degree Celsius and the day temperature settled at 9.1 degree Celsius.
Kupwara town in North Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.6 degree Celsius, while the minimum temperature dropped in southern Kokernag resort to minus 1.3 against yesterday’s minus 0.9 degree Celsius. The day temperature at Kupwara 11.4 degree Celsius was recorded at and that of Kokernag at 10. 2 degree Celsius.
Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 2.4 degree Celsius against minus 0.6 degree Celsius of the previous night and the day temperature settled at 12 degree Celsius, four notches above normal.
Leh was recorded the coldest place in the State with minus 13.2 degree Celsius, down by 1.2 degree from the previous night. The day temperature was recorded at 6.6 degree Celsius.
Kargil which recorded a minimum of minus 9.0 degrees Celsius against yesterday’s minus 10.2 degrees Celsius. The day temperature of Kargil settled at 3 degree Celsius.
The weatherman forecast snow-less New Year celebrations, saying the dry weather is expected to continue till January 4. “The dry weather is expected to continue for the next five days. There are chances of change in weather after January 4,” a MeT Department official said.
The freezing temperature will continue till the 40-day harsh winter period, ‘Chillai-Kalan’, which began on December 21 and ends on January 31.
The 40-day period is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ and a 10-day long ‘Chillai-Bachha’.
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