Sunshine returns to Kashmir
Srinagar, Feb 4: After a fresh spell of snow and rain, sunshine returned to several parts of Kashmir on Wednesday, offering respite to residents even as night temperatures dipped further in major tourist destinations.
The summer capital, Srinagar, witnessed intermittent spells of sunshine through the day, resulting in a comparatively warmer afternoon. “It was a warm day compared to yesterday. People finally got some relief from the cold,” said Sajad Ahmad Dar, a resident of Lal Bazar.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 3.0 degrees Celsius on Tuesday night.
However, colder conditions prevailed in the higher reaches. Gulmarg, the famous ski resort, registered a minimum of minus 8.0 degrees Celsius, a drop of 2.7 degrees from the previous night. Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, down sharply from 0.4 degrees a day earlier. Qazigund settled at 1.0 degree Celsius, while Kokernag and Kupwara recorded minimum temperatures of 0.6 and 1.6 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Since the end of Chillai Kalan on January 30, several parts of Kashmir have seen a gradual rise in night temperatures, easing the prolonged cold wave conditions.
“After weeks of biting cold, the nights have become far more bearable. Daily routines are slowly returning to normal,” said Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Shopian, adding that the improvement has been particularly relieving for children and the elderly.
According to meteorological officials, weather across Jammu and Kashmir is expected to remain largely dry through mid-February, with only brief spells of precipitation. The region is likely to stay dry until February 8, though light snowfall may occur over isolated higher reaches on the night of February 6. Light rain or snow is forecast at scattered places between February 9 and 10, followed by generally dry conditions, with a chance of light snowfall over isolated high-altitude areas on February 11.
Authorities have advised travellers and transporters to check road and highway conditions before undertaking journeys and urged residents in snow-bound areas to avoid avalanche-prone slopes.
