Srinagar: The Himalayan region of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh continues to freeze with the Kashmir capital, Srinagar recording colder night temperature than world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Gulmarg whereas South Kashmir’s top tourist destination, Pahalgam was the coldest place in the valley at minus 5.3°C on Friday.
The valley’s harshest winter period-40-day long- Chillai-e-Kalan shall begin from December 21 amid a dry weather forecast till December 25, Chillai-Kalan is followed by a 20-day long Chillai-Khurd (small cold) that occurs between January 31 and February 19 and a 10-day long Chilla Bacha (baby cold.)
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.6°C against the previous night at minus 3.2°C. While the mercury was around 2.6°C below normal during this time of the year, it was coldest night this season so far, a meteorological department official said.
In South Kashmir; Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 5.3°C against minus 5.6°C on previous night and it was 1.9°C below normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Whereas, gateway town of Kashmir, Qazigund recorded a low of minus 3.4°C against minus 3.6°C on the previous night, Kokernag had minus 2.1°C against minus 1.3°C on the previous night.
In north Kashmir; Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 2.5°C against minus 3.0°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 1.7°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. While the mercury settled at minus 3.6°C in Kupwara against minus 3.2°C on the previous night, Gurez, the LOC village (Line of Control Between India & Pakistan) was the coldest place in the north Kashmir at minus 5°C.
Meanwhile, the Pir Panjal areas of Banihal logged 5.6°C (above normal by 3.9°C), Chenab valley’s Bhadarwah also reported above normal temperature by 1.7°C with 2.1°C.
Also, Ladakh region’s capital Leh recorded minus 11.0°C and Kargil had minus 12.3°C.
Jammu noted 9.3°C against 7.1°C on the previous night. It was 2.6°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
“Batote 6.0°C (2.3°C above normal), Katra logged 7.0°C below normal by 0.8°C,” he added.
(Inputs From GNS)