SRINAGAR: Night temperature plummeted again as the Western Disturbance (WD) still eludes the region, including the Kashmir Valley where dry weather coupled with frequent and unscheduled power cuts has affected normal life.
Leh and border town of Kargil in Ladakh region continued to freeze as the mercury remained below minus 11 degrees Celsius and there is no chance of any improvement during the next 24 hours.
Weather will remain dry during the next 24 hours in the Valley, where light rain or snow could occur over higher reaches during subsequent 48 hours, a Met Department spokesman told UNI this afternoon.
However, dry weather continued for the past more than six months as Western Disturbance (WD), originating in Arabian Sea and entering the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan, always eludes region.
The minimum temperature witnessed considerable drop though sun was out today with icy cold winds also continued, forcing people to use everything possible to keep themselves warm. However, dry and chilly weather has resulted in increase in cold related health problems.
The doctors have already advised people, particularly elders, children and those suffering from heart ailment and asthma to avoid moving out from their houses during night and morning.
Srinagar, where business and other activities remained normal due to separatist relaxation in strike for the second day today, the night temperature recorded about three degree drop. Against yesterdays minus 2.2 degrees due to cloudy sky, the minimum temperature dropped and settled at minus 5.1 degrees, again freezing water bodies, including world famous Dal Lake partially in Srinagar, which was more colder than famed ski resort of Gulmarg. At some places water taps were also frozen affecting water supply.
He said the sky would be partly cloudy and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 11 degrees and minus 4 degrees respectively during the next 24 hours.
World famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, remained coldest after the minimum temperature recorded further drop and settled at minus 6.4 degree against yesterdays minus 2.9 degree. Water level in water bodies, including river Lidder passing through Pahaglam, has dropped as snow on upper reaches had got frozen.
Kupwara in north Kashmir was second coldest place in the valley as the mercury was minus 5.5 degree, more than 3.5 notches below normal.
Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, the minimum temperature remained unchanged at minus 4.6 degree, which was however, half a notch above normal.
Truckers were struggling to start their vehicles as the night temperature witnessed considerable drop of four degrees at Qazigund, gateway of Kashmir on Srinagar-Jammu national highway. Against yesterdays 0.3 degree, it was minus 4.3 degree, more than two notches below normal.
Kokernag, tourist resort also in south Kashmir recorded minus 2.5 degree against yesterdays minus 1.2 degree.
It was coldest night at border town of Kargil on Srinagar-Leh national highway after the minimum temperature recorded further drop and settled at minus 11.9 degree against yesterdays minus 9.9 degree. The earlier coldest was minus 11.4 degree recorded on December 21.
Leh also recorded drop in the night temperature and settled at minus 13.9 degree, against yesterdays minus 8.9 degree.
He said the sky would be mainly clear and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 6 degree and minus 11 degree respectively at Leh during the next 24 hours.
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