Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar Dec 17: People in Kashmir today had some relief from the intense cold as temperature showed improvement and authorities also re-opened Srinagar-Leh National Highway after it remained closed for a week due to snowfall.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 0.6 degree Celsius, an increase of over three degrees from the previous night’s minus 3.7 degree Celsius and the day temperature was recorded at 10 degree Celsius
The mercury in Qazigund, went up from the previous night’s low temperature of minus 3.3 degree Celsius to settle at a low of minus 1.3 degree Celsius. The day temperature settled at 7.9 degree Celsius.
Pahalgam registered a low temperature of minus 2.7 degree Celsius, an increase of over four degrees from the previous night’s minus 7.3 degree Celsius. The day temperature was recorded at 4.9 degree Celsius.
The minimum temperature also increased in Kupwara and Kokernag towns where the mercury settled at minus 1.5 degree Celsius and minus 1.9 degree Celsius respectively. The day temperature at these places was recorded at 10.1 degree Celsius and 7.6 degree Celsius respectively.
Gulmarg recorded a low temperature of minus 10.2 degrees Celsius and was the only place in Kashmir division where the night temperature dropped. The resort had registered a low temperature of minus 10 degree Celsius the previous night. The day temperature of the place settled at minus 0.4 degree Celsius.
Leh also witnessed an increase of over a degree in the night temperature as the mercury there settled at minus 12.6 degree Celsius compared to the previous night’s 13.8 degree Celsius. The day temperature settled at 3.5 degree Celsius.
Kargil town recorded a low temperature of minus 14.2 degree Celsius same as the previous night, the official said, adding Kargil was the coldest place in the State. The day temperature of the place settled at minus 1.0 degree Celsius.
The MeT Department has forecast dry weather over the next few days with partial cloud cover.
In the meantime, the Traffic on Srinagar-Leh highway was restored today after one week. It was closed for traffic on December 11 due to snowfall and slippery road conditions. However, the administration has already announced to close the highway for winter months from December 20.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), assisted by local administration has put into service sophisticated machines and men to put through the highway again which remained closed since December 11 following heavy snowfall and slippery road conditions, particularly at Zojila, Meenmarg and Zero point.
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