Cold wave swept Kashmir on Thursday and the night temperature remained several degrees below freezing point. Meteorological department has predicted a spell of light rains and snowfall on Monday.
MeT officials said the cold wave intensified with the mercury staying several degrees below the freezing point in most parts of Kashmir. “Bright sunshine during the day and clear skies at night has resulted in the mercury dipping further over the past 24 hours in Kashmir,” officials said.
MeT Director Sonam Lotus said there are chances of light snow and rains from January 29. “Higher reaches can receive moderate snowfall from Monday evening,” Lotus told Greater Kashmir.
Officials said Srinagar witnessed a dip in the night temperature and settled 3 degree below normal. “Against minus 4.3 degree recorded on Wednesday, the night temperature in Srinagar was minus 5.7 degree,” they said adding that the night temperature in Qazigund settled at -5 C while the neighbouring Kokernag town registered a low of -1.8 C last night. The mercury at ski resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla dipped a degree from Wednesday and settled at minus 7 degree C, slightly above normal. Kupwara recorded a low of -4.7 C, slightly down from the previous night’s -4 C. The official said the night temperature in Pahalgam settled at -5.8 C.
MeT officials said Kargil in Ladakh saw the mercury rising by three degrees last night, but the temperature still settled at -17 C.They said Kargil remained the coldest place in the state while as Leh was the second coldest with the temperature settling at -10.5 C.