SRINAGAR: There was considerable drop in the minimum temperature today in the Kashmir valley, where sun was playing hide and seek with cold winds continuing.
There could be however, improvement in the night temperature and drop in the maximum temperature in the valley,where a fresh Western Disturbance (WD) is likely to hit tomorrow, a weather office spokesman said.
Pahalgam, a famed health resort, which also serves as base camp for annual Amarnath cave shrine in summer, recorded coldest night of the season after there was about five degree drop in the minimum temperature. Against yesterdays minus 2.7 degree, it was minus 7.7 degree during the day. Earlier the lowest was minus 7.5 degree, recorded on December 15.
Snow on the upper reaches had frozen due to which water level in river Lidder and other water bodies has witnessed a drop.
In the summer capital, Srinagar, people woke up to a sunny morning after witnessing second coldest night of the season. Against minus 0.6 degree, the minimum temperature in Srinagar was minus 3.2 degree, more than two notches below normal.
The coldest so far was minus 3.7 degree, recorded on December 16 when parts of the famed Dal Lake near bunks were frozen.
However, world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, major attraction for tourists and skiers, recorded lowest temperature in the valley.
Against yesterdays minimum temperature of minus 10.2 degree, it was minus 10.4 degree, more than six notches below normal. The lowest so far was recorded on December 12 when the mercury dropped and settled at minus 10.6 degree.
Qazigund, gateway of Kashmir on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, Kokernag and Kupwara also recorded below freezing point minimum temperature.
The spokesman said at Leh in Ladakh region the minimum temperature was minus 12.9 degree against yesterdays minus 12.6 degree while at Kargil it was minus 7.4 degree against minus 14.2 degree recorded yesterday. (UNI)
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