Srinagar After a respite of two nights, Kashmir witnessed a sharp drop in night temperatures, with minimum readings settling below the freezing point across most parts of the valley, officials said on Tuesday.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 1.8 degrees Celsius, nearly four degrees down from Monday night’s 1.9 degrees Celsius, they said.
A thick layer of fog engulfed the city and most other parts of the valley, particularly areas around water bodies, during the early hours, the Meteorological Department said.
Qazigund in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara in north Kashmir settled at minus 1.8 degrees Celsius. Kokernag in south Kashmir registered a minimum of minus 0.6 degrees Celsius.
In Gulmarg, the minimum temperature settled above the freezing point at 0.5 degrees Celsius, the weather office said. The ski resort was the only place in the Kashmir valley where night temperatures remained above freezing.
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius.
Konibal and Pulwama towns in south Kashmir were the coldest recorded places in Jammu and Kashmir, registering minimum temperatures of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius.
So far this winter, the valley has not witnessed any major wet spell. The prevailing dry weather has led to a rise in ailments such as cough and common cold.
The weather is likely to remain partly cloudy till December 18, after which, there is a possibility of light rain or snow at scattered places across the valley till December 21, coinciding with the onset of ‘Chillai Kalan’, the Met office said.
