Srinagar, Pahalgam, Shopian record sub-zero temperatures

Srinagar, Nov 27: The cold wave in Kashmir intensified on Wednesday as temperatures dropped significantly across the valley, with Srinagar, Pahalgam, and Shopian emerging as the coldest places.

The biting chill has gripped both locals and tourists, marking a sharp decline in mercury levels compared to the previous nights.

Officials of the Meteorological Department (MeT) said here that the Pahalgam health resort in south Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius on Tuesday night.

This was a significant drop from minus 2.7 degrees Celsius the previous night and 2.3 degrees Celsius below the normal temperature for this time of the year.

The MeT officials said the Shopian district in south Kashmir experienced an even more severe cold spell, with the mercury plunging to minus 4.6 degrees Celsius.

Other parts of south Kashmir also saw sharp declines: Konibal recorded minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, Anantnag minus 3.9 degrees Celsius, Pulwama minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, and Kulgam minus 2.9 degrees Celsius.

They said Srinagar saw its minimum temperature drop below freezing to minus 0.6 degrees Celsius, down from 0.7 degrees Celsius the previous night.

This was 0.7 degrees Celsius below the normal for this period, adding to the growing chill in Kashmir.

In the Ganderbal district, the tourist resort Sonamarg recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius.

Gulmarg ski resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded a low of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, a slight dip from minus 2.4 degrees Celsius the previous night, and 0.7 degrees Celsius below the seasonal average.

Qazigund, often called the gateway town to Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, a significant plunge from minus 0.8 degrees Celsius the night before.

The drop was 2.4 degrees Celsius below the average minimum for this time of the year.

Meanwhile, Kokernag in south Kashmir saw temperatures settle at 0.4 degrees Celsius, down from 1.8 degrees Celsius the previous night, which was 0.3 degrees Celsius below normal.

The MeT predicted generally dry weather for Kashmir until November 29.

However, changes are expected from the evening of November 30, with the possibility of light rain and snow over higher altitudes and isolated areas in the backdrop of feeble Western Disturbance.

Inclement weather is likely on December 1 and 2, with light rain and snow expected across the higher reaches and scattered to fairly widespread areas of Kashmir and Jammu.

Thereafter, the weather is forecasted to remain dry until at least December 6, the MeT office said.