Owais Gul
Srinagar, Dec 10: As majority of places across Kashmir continued to witness prolonged dry spell, the mercury has plummeted to the season’s lowest at several parts of the Valley with Srinagar, recording the coldest night so far at minus 5.4 degree Celsius.
The cold wave has tightened its grip across Kashmir with the majority of the areas recording the season’s coldest night including Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
As per the details available, Srinagar has recorded the season’s lowest temperature at minus 5.4 degree Celsius, marking the coldest night here while Sonamarg was the coldest place at minus 9.7 degree Celsius.
Furthermore, Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, was the second coldest place, where the mercury settled at minus 9.0 degree Celsius.
Pahalgam, a famous tourist destination, recorded a low of minus 8.4 degree Celsius while Shopian in South Kashmir recorded a low of minus 8.5 degree Celsius.
Also, Qazigund, a gateway of Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 6.4 degree Celsius while Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded minus 4.5 degree Celsius. Kokernag in South Kashmir recorded a low of minus 4.0 degree Celsius.
Furthermore, the weatherman here has predicted no major weather activity till December 20th.
However, the MeT in its advisory, has said that the cold & dry weather will generally prevail over many stations during the next 7-10 days.
“In view of sub-freezing temperature & icy conditions over roads of important passes and higher reaches, the tourists, travellers and transporters are advised to follow administration and traffic advisory,” it added.
Moreover, the government has issued an advisory to halt all concreting operations in Kashmir due to plummeting subzero temperatures.
“Concrete exposed to freezing conditions is vulnerable to frost damage, which can interfere with proper cement hydration and curing. This leads to concrete failing to set correctly, compromising strength and safety,” reads an advisory.
It reads that, in light of this, all concreting work is advised to stop until the temperature conditions improve. However, Rural Engineering Wing (REW) Executive Engineers may proceed with concreting operations if they ensure that all necessary precautions are taken. These include using antifreeze additives to support proper curing and ensuring all requirements are met. All REW engineers in the region are directed to comply with this advisory to ensure safety and maintain structural integrity.
