Night chill returns as min temp dips further, day remains pleasant in Kashmir

Srinagar: Chill returned during the night as the minimum temperature witnessed further drop due to clear sky while summer-like weather conditions continued due to sunshine in Kashmir valley.
“The weather will remain dry during the next 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir. There will be no change in the weather condition during subsequent two days,” a Met department spokesman told UNI.
However, he said a fresh Western Disturbance (WD) is approaching the region which could touch on February 9 and remain active for the subsequent 24 hours. “Under the influence of this WD, rain could occur at isolated places in Kashmir though dry weather will continue in Jammu and Ladakh,” he said.
Kargil, a border town in Srinagar-Leh national highway, which remained closed since December last year due to accumulation of snow and slipper road condition, was coldest in the region after the minimum temperature witnessed further drop and settled at minus 15.5 degree against Saturday’s minus 13. The neighbouring town of Leh also witnessed a dip in the night temperature, which plunged and settled at minus 12.4 degree, against minus 5.2 degree recorded on Saturday.
The Met spokesman said the sky would be partly cloudy and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 5 degree and minus 11 degree respectively during the next 24 hours in Leh.
Summer-like weather conditions continued during the day in Kashmir valley, where minimum temperature witnessed further drop. However, continued dry spell and less snow and rain during the 40-day-long Chilai Kalan, which ended on December 31, is a cause of concern as this could result in water crisis during the summer. Low water level in rivers could also affect power generation in local projects, which are run of the river.
Dry weather has however, helped daily labourers and other construction workers, who are in demand in the absence of outside workforce, who have returned to their respective states for winter months.
The mercury at Gulmarg, world famous ski resort in north Kashmir, also dipped about 2 degree from Saturday and settled at minus 9 degree, which is 2 degree below normal. The ski resort was the coldest place in the valley. However, people, including tourists and skiers, from different parts of the country and abroad, are enjoying on snow covered slopes, though it was very less as compared to previous years when five to seven feet of snow was recorded.
After witnessing a dip of over 2 degree from Saturday, people woke up to a chilly Sunday morning in the summer capital, Srinagar. However, as the day progressed, sun came out brining much needed relief to the people from chilly weather conditions. Against minus 1.5 degree recorded on Saturday, the night temperature at Srinagar was minus 3.9 degree, which is 3 degree below normal. The maximum temperature recorded on Saturday was 7 degree above normal.
World famous health resort of Pahalgam, which has received less snowfall as compared to previous years, also witnessed a dip in the night temperature owing to clear skies. The night temperature at Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir dipped about 2 degree from Saturday and settled at minus 5.8 degree, which is still slightly above normal.
Only small patches of snow could be seen in the health resort while the mountains are covered under thin white blanket of snow, clearly visible from a distance in Pahalgam. Due to above normal maximum temperature, snow on both sides of the main road was melting very fast. The water level in river Lidder, passing through Pahalgam, has also started to increase because of melting of snow on the mountains.
The mercury at Qazigund, gateway of Kashmir on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, Kokernag and Kupwara also dipped and settled at minus 4 degree, minus 2.5 degree and minus 1.3 degree, respectively.