Temperatures dip below zero in most parts of Kashmir
Gulmarg remains the coldest spot with the mercury dipping to -6.5° Celsius
After a few days of respite, the cold returned to Kashmir as the minimum temperatures dropped in the Valley and settled below the freezing point at most places, officials said on Saturday.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -1.5° Celsius on Friday night, down from the previous night’s 0.1° Celsius, they said.
The famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir remained the coldest spot, with the mercury dipping to -6.5° Celsius, while the tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded a low of -5.2° Celsius. Qazigund, the gateway town of the valley, saw the mercury settling at -2.6° Celsius, Kokernag recorded a low of -0.8° Celsius, while Kupwara in north Kashmir registered a minimum of -1.6° Celsius.
The region is currently in the midst of ‘Chilla-e-Kalan’, the 40-day period of extreme cold, during which night temperatures often drop several degrees below the freezing point. However, the plains of the valley have not received any snowfall so far this season.
The India Meteorological Department forecasts light rains or snow at the isolated places in the higher reaches of north and central Kashmir on January 5 and 6. The weather is expected to remain largely dry until January 4.
