Kashmir valley freezes as sub-zero temperatures drop further

The cold conditions intensified across Kashmir as the minimum temperature dropped further below the freezing point, and a thick layer of fog engulfed most parts of the Valley, officials said on Wednesday.

Srinagar recorded a low of -4.4° Celsius on Tuesday night, down from -2.5° Celsius the previous night, they said. A thick blanket of fog wrapped Srinagar and other places in the Valley, especially around water bodies.

The Shopian town in south Kashmir was the coldest place in the Valley with a minimum temperature of -5.9° Celsius, according to officials. The gateway town to the Valley, Qazigund, recorded a low of -3.6° Celsius, while the mercury settled at -4.1° Celsius in north Kashmir’s Kupwara. South Kashmir’s Kokernag recorded a low of -1.2°Celsius, officials said.

The Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir recorded a low of -4.6° Celsius, while the Gulmarg skiing resort in north Kashmir recorded -2.6° Celsius.

The meteorological department said the weather is likely to remain dry till Wednesday, but there is a possibility of a brief spell of light snow at isolated places in the higher reaches, late on Thursday night and early Friday morning.

The MeT Office said while the weather would remain generally dry on December 6-7, another brief spell of light snowfall at isolated places in the higher reaches is likely on December 8.