Srinagar: The cold wave in Kashmir intensified as the minimum temperature across the valley stayed several degrees below the freezing point, officials said here on Tuesday.
Srinagar city recorded a low of minus 3.1 degrees Celsius, which was the second coldest night of this winter season, MET officials said.
The city on Monday recorded the coldest night as the minimum had settled at minus 3.2 degrees Celsius the previous night.
Shopian town in south Kashmir was the coldest recorded place in the valley as the minimum dipped to minus 5.4 degrees Celsius, followed closely by Pulwama, where the minimum temperature stayed five degrees below the freezing point.
Pahalgam tourist resort in Anantnag district recorded a low of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg resort in north Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.2 degrees Celsius.
Zojila, the pass connecting the Kashmir valley to the Ladakh union territory, recorded a low of minus 16 degrees Celsius.
Kashmir valley has been going through a prolonged dry spell since October, as the MET office here has forecast dry weather over the next week.
J&K govt issues winter vacation schedule
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday formally announced the winter vacation schedule for schools of the Kashmir valley and the winter zone of the Jammu region.
According to an official order, pre-primary classes will close for winter break from November 26 (Wednesday), while classwork for students of classes 1 to 8 will end on December 1. The academic work for classes 9 to 12 will stop from December 11.
Schools up to class 8 are scheduled to reopen on March 1 next year, while higher classes will resume a week earlier, on February 22.
The government said the decision was taken in view of temperatures dipping several degrees below freezing across Kashmir over the last week.
