Cold wave intensifies in Kashmir as minimum temperature dips further

Srinagar, January 16

The minimum temperature at most places in Kashmir dropped further on Saturday as the intense cold tightened its grip in the Valley, resulting in the freezing of water supply lines and water bodies, including the famous Dal Lake, in several areas.

A thick fog also engulfed many parts of the Valley, including the city, in the morning, reducing visibility.

The cold wave conditions intensified as the mercury dropped further during the night and the minimum temperature settled several degrees below the freezing point, a meteorological department official said.

Srinagar city recorded a low of minus 8.2 degrees Celsius, down from minus 7.6 degrees Celsius the previous night, he said.

The minimum temperature in the city on Friday night was over six degrees below the normal for this time of the year, he added.

The city had recorded a low of minus 8.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday, which was the coldest night in Srinagar since 1991.

Pahalgam tourist resort recorded a low of minus 9.4 degrees Celsius, down from the previous night's minus 8.6 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature in Gulmarg tourist resort settled at minus 5.4 degrees Celsius, slightly up from minus 5.5 degrees Celsius the night earlier.

Qazigund - the gateway town to the Valley – recorded a low of minus 10 degrees Celsius and was the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir, the official said.

Kupwara, in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag, in the south, minus 8.7 degrees Celsius.

The surface of the Dal Lake has frozen due to the bone-chilling cold, prompting authorities to issue an advisory against walking on the ice.

The SDRF and the river police are conducting patrols around the frozen water-body to ensure the safety of the people.

Several other water bodies have also frozen due to the intense cold.

While the weather remained dry across Kashmir, a dense fog engulfed many parts of the Valley, including the city in the morning, which, however, dissipated later, the official said.

The plunge in the minimum temperature has also resulted in the freezing of water supply pipes. PTI

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