Srinagar: Mercury fell across Kashmir on the second day of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ with Srinagar recording colder temperatures than the world-famous skiing resort in North Kashmir's Gulmarg on Thursday.
Moreover, the metrological department has predicted dry weather till December 25, adding that moderate snowfall was expected at higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir from 26-30th Dec.
“Snowfall and below freezing temperature may lead to temporary disruption of surface transportation on places like Mughal road, Zojila, Karna, Sadna top, etc during 26-27th, although there's no forecast of any Major snow spell.” the forecast said.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 5.5°C against 4.2°C on the previous night (3.5°C below normal) during this time of the year, a meteorological department official said.
In south Kashmir, Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 6.8°C against minus 6.2°C on the previous night. Apart from being below normal by 1.8°C, it was also the coldest night this season in the famous tourist destination in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
While the gateway town of Kashmir, Qazigund logged a low of minus 4.4°C against minus 4.2°C on the previous night (2.4°C below normal), Kokernag had 3.3°C against minus 2.4°C on the previous night (1.2°C below normal) for the place, he said.
North Kashmir's Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 5.2°C against minus 4.6°C on the previous night (0.6°C above normal) for the world-famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the official said.
Gurez in north Kashmir's Bandipora was the coldest place in Valley with minus 9°C.
In Kupwara, the mercury settled at minus 5.1°C against minus 4.4°C on the previous night (2.5°C below normal), it was also the coldest temperature recorded so far in the north Kashmir district, he said.
Jammu recorded a low of 7.5°C against 6.3°C on the previous night. It was 0.7°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Batote had 1.1°C (2.1°C below normal) and Katra 5.6°C (1.3°C below normal).
Pir Panjal's Banihal recorded a low of minus 1.2°C against last night’s 2.0°C (overall below normal by 2.1°C), and Chenab's Bhadarwah logged minus 0.9°C (0.4°C below normal).
In Ladakh, Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 12.0°C and 12.8 °C respectively, the official said.
(GNS)