Srinagar: There was “significant” improvement in minimum temperature in J&K and Ladakh but most places continued to reel under sub-zero conditions as the 40-day long harsh part of the winter started on Tuesday.
Weatherman said that “gradual” rise was expected in the night temperatures in coming days due to approaching “feeble” Western Disturbance.
A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K recorded a low of minus 2.8°C and was three degrees up from previous night’s minus 5.8°C. However, he said, overall it was below minus 1.3°C than the normal for this time of the year.
The 40-day long ‘Chillai Kalan’ starts on December 21 it is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.
The mercury in the world famous resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district settled at minus 5.0°C against minus 5.5°C on the previous night, the official said.
Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, had a low of minus 2.6°C against minus 6.5°C on the previous night, he said.
Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.7°C against minus 7.4°C on previous night.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.3°C against minus 5.9°C on previous night, the official said.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 3.8°C against minus 5.2°C on the previous night, the official said.
Jammu, the J&K’s winter capital, saw a low of 3.3°C which is minus 5.7°C below normal, he said.
Ladakh’s Leh had a low of minus 8.2°C against last night’s minus 13.9°C while automatic Kargil station recorded minimum of minus 9.0°C. Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 11.1°C, the official said.
“There has been significant Improvement in Minimum Temperature in both J&K and Ladakh, “he said, adding, “Due to an approaching feeble WD, expect gradual rise in Minimum Temperature in coming days.” (GNS)
