Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Jan 23: Kashmir valley is reeling under intense cold wave conditions and Weatherman has forecast further cold and dry weather in next one week with Srinagar recording lowest temperature of the season at one degree Celsius today.
Director Meteorological Department, Sonam Lotus, told Excelsior that weather will remain mainly cold and dry for next one week. He, however, said that tonight there may be some light snowfall in the hills of Kashmir. He said that light snowfall has been recorded in Kupwara and Budgam districts of North and Central Kashmir.
Lotus said that temperatures during the week may drop in Kashmir valley and Ladakh region. It may be mentioned here that the next 7 days are the final week of the Chillai Kalan, the chilliest 40 day part of winter.
Srinagar recorded coldest day of the season today with maximum temperature recorded at one degree Celsius while minimum temperature was recorded at minus 3.2 degree Celsius. The season’s lowest temperature was recorded at 3 degree Celsius early this month.
South Kashmir tourist resort of Pahalgam recorded a maximum temperature of 0.8 degree Celsius while minimum was recorded at minus 7.0 degrees. The famous Ski resort in North Kashmir, Gulmarg shivered at minus 9.6 degrees.
The Leh in Ladakh was coldest place in the region at minus 19.4 degree while maximum temperature was recorded at zero degree Celsius. Kargil recorded a maximum of minus 8 degree Celsius and minimum of minus 17.2 degree Celsius.
With the coldest day recorded in Srinagar, majority of the people stayed indoors as gusty winds were blowing across in Kashmir valley throughout the day. The traffic on the roads was skeletal and markets were wearing a deserted look. Those who had ventured out headed for homes early in the evening.
Reports of slippery roads, morning frost and frozen water bodies and water tapes poured in from across the Kashmir valley. The fringes of world famous Dal lake have again frozen with the sub-zero temperatures and fisherman and boatmen had to break the ice in the morning to drive their boats.
Traffic officials have advised people to drive cautiously on the Valley’s roads to avoid accidents due to frozen road surfaces.
With the cold wave intensifying, people across the State in Rural areas have complained massive power cuts. Residents in district Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora have alleged that they received a couple of hours daily electric supply which is adding to their worries in chilly winter.
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