Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 22: Cold wave conditions eased a bit as minimum temperatures increased slightly across Kashmir amid forecast of fresh snowfall in couple of days.
A Meterological Department official said: “Expect a spell of light to moderate snowfall, scattered to widespread, in plains of Kashmir, hilly areas of Jammu, rain with thunder in plains of Jammu during later tonight till 24th forenoon,” weatherman said here adding, “there is possibility of heavy snow at isolated places in Kashmir.”
The official said that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 6.1 degree Celsius, up from minus 7.0 degree Celsius the previous night.
The minimum temperatures continued to remain far below than the normal in other parts of the Valley, settling at minus 7.0 degree Celsius in Pahalgam. It was up by more than two degrees from minus 9.3 degree Celsius the previous night.
Qazigund recorded a low of minus 6.2 degree Celsius against 8.8 degree Celsius the previous night. Kokernag recorded a low of minus 6.5 degree Celsius against 6.9 degree Celsius the previous night.
Against minus 5.9 degree Celsius the previous night in Kupwara, the mercury settled at minus 4.8 degree Celsius in the north Kashmir district.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 6.0 degree Celsius against minus 7.8 degree Celsius the previous night.
Kashmir is in the middle Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day winter period which commenced on December 21 and ends on January 31. The period is considered the harshest of the winter when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum.
The cold wave, however, continues even after that in Kashmir with a 20-day-long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day-long ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold). Already, Kashmir Valley received heavy snowfall earlier this month, disrupting normal life.
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