Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Jan 14: Cold conditions intensified across Kashmir on Wednesday as minimum temperatures plummeted, while foggy conditions prevailed in Jammu.
According to the details available, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.2 degrees Celsius, down from minus 4.9 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. The city airport also saw a further dip, settling at minus 6.0 degrees Celsius compared to minus 5.8 degrees Celsius a day earlier.
South Kashmir districts recorded sharper falls. Pulwama emerged as one of the coldest places in the plains at minus 7.0 degrees Celsius, down from minus 6.6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, while Shopian recorded minus 7.5 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 6.3 degrees Celsius the previous day.
Anantnag settled at minus 6.6 degrees Celsius, down from minus 6.1 degrees Celsius, and Awantipora dropped to minus 6.4 degrees Celsius from minus 5.4 degrees Celsius.
In north Kashmir, Kupwara recorded minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, lower than Tuesday’s minus 5.8 degrees Celsius, while Sopore settled at minus 6.9 degrees Celsius, down from minus 6.5 degrees Celsius. Baramulla also witnessed a marginal dip to minus 1.8 degrees Celsius from minus 1.4 degrees Celsius.
However, a notable rise was recorded at Sonamarg, where the minimum temperature increased significantly to minus 2.2 degrees Celsius from minus 7.0 degrees Celsius recorded a day earlier.
Gulmarg, Kashmir’s famous ski resort, recorded minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than Tuesday’s minus 3.5 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu region, minimum temperatures showed mixed trends. Jammu city recorded 4.0 degrees Celsius, marginally higher than 3.8 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
Banihal saw a sharp rise to 5.3 degrees Celsius from 8.9 degrees Celsius recorded earlier, while Bhaderwah rose above freezing at 0.5 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 0.2 degrees Celsius a day earlier.
Rajouri, however, slipped below freezing, recording minus 0.6 degrees Celsius compared to 0.0 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
In Ladakh, extreme cold conditions persisted. Leh recorded minus 11.4 degrees Celsius, marginally higher than minus 11.6 degrees Celsius the previous day, while Hanle dropped sharply to minus 11.4 degrees Celsius from minus 9.7 degrees Celsius.
Kargil and Nubra Valley recorded minus 10.0 degrees Celsius and minus 10.4 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The Meteorological Department said a gradual rise in minimum temperatures is expected at many places from January 15 onwards.
It also warned of moderate fog over the plains of Jammu division, with dense fog at a few locations likely to continue over the next three days.
The weather office said snowfall in the Kashmir plains remains unlikely until January 20, though a series of Western Disturbances is expected to affect Jammu and Kashmir starting January 16.
The first system, it said is expected between January 16 and 18, may bring light snowfall to higher reaches and isolated light rain in the plains. Subsequent weak Western Disturbances are likely between January 19–21, January 22–26, and around January 27, with limited rain and snow activity.
Travellers and transporters have been advised to plan their journeys carefully and follow official traffic advisories. (KNO)
