Temps dip at Gulmarg, Pahalgam
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 30: Kashmir valley experienced relief from the extreme cold weather conditions but the tourist resorts of Gulmarg and Pahalgam saw intensified cold weather conditions today with mercury plunging several degrees below the freezing point.
Gulmarg, a ski resort, recorded a night temperature of minus 10 degree Celsius, down 2 degrees compared to the previous night.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 9.2 degree Celsius, down from minus 8.5 degrees Celsius the previous night.
Srinagar recorded minus 0.9 degrees Celsius, little more than a degree above the normal temperature for this time of the year.
Qazigund recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.8 degree Celsius, while Konibal in Pampore registered a low of minus 1.4 degree Celsius.
Kupwara recorded a low of 0.1 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag registered a minimum temperature of minus 1.0 degrees Celsius.
Kupwara was the only place in the Valley where the minimum temperature settled above freezing point.
Weatherman said that the weather will be generally dry tomorrow. He said that two Western Disturbances (WDs) in quick succession are likely to affect J&K and adjoining areas from 1st January onwards.
“A feeble WD will hit J&K between 1-2nd January. The weather will be generally cloudy with light snow at scattered places during the 1st evening/night to 2nd morning,” he said.
He said that between 3rd and 6th January moderate WD will hit J&K. The weather will be generally cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow at many places of J&K with peak activity on 4th and 5th January,” He said that there is a possibility of heavy snow at isolated higher reaches during 4th and 5th January.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ – the harshest period of winter – which began on December 21.
Chances of snowfall are the highest during the 40 days of Chillai-Kalan, leading to considerable drop in temperature.
While the period ends on January 29. It will be followed by a 20-day ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).
Meanwhile, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Surankote, Farooq Ahmed has said that snow clearance operations were in full swing on Mughal Road to restore connectivity up to Poshana.
Emphasizing the needs of the local population, the SDM said that the areas surrounding Poshana are densely populated and road access is crucial for their daily lives.
Teams equipped with advanced machinery have been deployed to expedite the snow-clearing process and to ensure minimal disruption.
The administration is working diligently to open the road for light vehicular movement as soon as possible, providing much-needed relief to the residents of the area.
The SDM further stated that weather conditions play a critical role in the success of these operations.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
