Cold wave intensifies in Valley, temperature at sub-zero levels

Minimum temperatures plummeted several degrees below the freezing point at most places in Kashmir owing to a clear sky as cold conditions tightened its grip over the Valley, officials said on Thursday.

Night temperatures dropped in most parts of the Valley owing to a clear sky with bright sunshine witnessed for the past few days, the meteorological office said.

Barring Gulmarg in north Kashmir, minimum temperatures across the Valley dropped by several notches as cold conditions intensified in Kashmir. In Pahalgam, the minimum temperature settled at -10.4°C against the previous night’s -8.2°C, making it the coldest in the Valley.

The minimum temperature in Srinagar settled at -4.4°C, down from the previous night’s 1 degree, the Met office said. Gulmarg recorded a low of -9.6°C, marginally up from the previous night’s -9.8°C, it said. Qazigund, the gateway town to the Valley, and Konibal in Pampore town logged an identical low of -6.2°C, it added.

Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a low of -4.6°C, while at Kokernag in south Kashmir, the mercury settle at -5.6°C. The Met office has forecast mainly dry weather over the next two days, with the possibility of light rain/snow at isolated places on Saturday.

It also said the minimum temperature is likely to drop further in the Valley, and forecast an isolated cold wave over the few days ahead.

A Met office statement said, “On January 9 to 10, generally dry weather with cloudiness during 10th evening/night. On January 11, generally cloudy with light rain (plains of Jammu) and snow at isolated higher reaches of the Jammu division and Kashmir division. On January 12 to 14, generally dry. On January 15 to 16, generally cloudy with light snow at isolated places.” The department issued an advisory: “Cold wave at isolated places. Tourists, travellers and transporters are advised to follow traffic advisory.”