Kashmir reels under intense cold
Intense cold wave conditions prevailed across Kashmir as the minimum temperatures settled several degrees below the freezing point, officials said on Thursday.
There is a possibility of light snow over the higher reaches on Friday and Saturday as a Western Disturbance is set to impact the region, they said.
The night temperature dropped at most places in Kashmir as the valley continued to reel under freezing conditions. The fall in the mercury led to the freezing of water supply lines as a thin layer of ice covered the surface of several water bodies including the Dal Lake.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 7 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, slightly up from the previous night's minus 7.3 degrees Celsius, the meteorological department said.
Gulmarg recorded a minimum temperature of minus 6 degrees Celsius, up from minus 6.6 degrees Celsius the previous night.
Pahalgam registered a minimum temperature of minus 8.6 degrees Celsius, slightly down from the previous night's minus 8.4 degrees Celsius, it said.
Qazigund logged a minimum temperature of minus 7 degrees Celsius, while Konibal, a hamlet in the Pampore area, was the coldest recorded place in the valley at minus 9 degrees Celsius, it said.
Kupwara registered a low of minus 6.7 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag was minus 5.5 degrees Celsius.
The meteorological department has said an active Western Disturbance is set to impact Jammu and Kashmir from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon.
Under the influence of the system, there is a possibility of light snowl over the higher reaches towards late afternoon of Friday till the forenoon the next day, the Met Office said.
While the weather would stay mainly dry on December 29, 30, and 31, light snow is possible at isolated places in Kashmir from January 1-4.
