Srinagar: The minimum temperature in Kashmir has slightly improved as two back-to-back Western Disturbances may affect the Himalayan region from tomorrow.
According to the concerned officials, Srinagar recorded a low of -5.5°C (3.6°C below normal) on Thursday night, a slight improvement from the season's lowest of -6.4°C the previous night.
They also advised travelers and transporters to plan their journey accordingly, especially over the Sonamarg-Zojila-Gumni axis, Razdan pass, Sinthan pass, Sadhna pass, Mughal Road, etc.
“There is going to be an improvement in minimum (night) temperature and dip in maximum (day) temperature as the wet weather may improve the dry winter condition," a metrological official said.
Meanwhile, Qazigund recorded a low of minus 5.6°C against minus 6.2°C, the lowest recorded this season for the gateway town of Kashmir. Today’s minimum temperature was 2.7°C below normal, he said.
South Kashmir's Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 8.6°C against minus 9.2°C on the previous night. The coldest night recorded this season in the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district was on January 2 when the mercury plunged to minus 9.6°C, he said. Today’s minimum temperature was 1.6°C below normal for the place, he said.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 4.3°C against minus 4.4°C on the previous night, he said. It was 0.3°C below normal for the place, he said.
North Kashmir's Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 5.0°C against minus 7.5°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 2.8°C above normal for the world-famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district which recorded its coldest night on January 2 when the minimum temperature plummeted to minus 10.0°C, the official said.
In Kupwara, the mercury settled at minus 5.6°C against minus 6.0°C on the previous night in the north Kashmir area, he said. The official said that the temperature was 2.9°C below normal.
Jammu recorded a low of 3.7°C against 3.0°C on the previous night. It was 3.7°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital and Batote had 3.6°C (above normal by 2.1°C), whereas Katra was 4.6°C (1.4°C below normal),
Moreover, Pir Panjal's Banihal recorded a low of 5.4°C (above normal by 5.4°C), and Chenab's Bhadarwah logged minus 0.6°C (1.6°C below normal).
In Ladakh region, Leh and Kargil districts recorded a low of minus 14.6°C and minus 18.1°C respectively, the official said.
(GNS)