Chill intensifies as Western Disturbance eludes Kashmir; Drass shivers at minus 26.3 degree
Srinagar/UNI: Chilly weather conditions have intensified as the Western Disturbance (WD) once again eluded Kashmir valley, where the mercury during the night dipped and settled below normal at most places.
Drass was the coldest in the region after the mercury dipped and settled at minus 26.3 degree, followed by border town of Leh, where the night temperature settled at 20.7 degrees.
A Met department spokesperson told UNI that scattered to fairly widespread rain or snow would occur during the next 48 hours in Kashmir valley under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which is active in the region. ''Another fresh WD, which originated from the Arabian Sea and is approaching the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan, will hit the UTs of J&K and Ladakh on Monday,'' he said.
He said under the influence of this WD light to heavy snow would occur in Kashmir valley for 48 hours from Monday.
All the water bodies in Drass, which is the second coldest place in the world, and border town of Leh in Ladakh remained frozen with night temperatures at these places remaining over 20 to 28 degrees below freezing point.
People in these areas are dependent on hot water springs to get water for drinking and other purposes. The mercury at Drass dipped about 4 degrees from Thursday and settled at minus 26.3 degree. The night temperature in Leh settled at minus 20.7 degree, against minus 18.3 degree recorded on Thursday.
After witnessing above normal night temperature in the summer capital, Srinagar on Thursday, the mercury on Friday again dipped due to clear skies and settled at minus 3.7 degree, which is about a degree below normal.
People in many areas of Srinagar could be seen early in the morning burning wood to de-freeze frozen tapes to restore water supply in their homes. Meanwhile, auto-drivers and transporters, besides mechanics were keeping themselves warm in the morning by burning wood on the road sides.
World famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, was the coldest place in the valley after the mercury dipped about 4 degree from Thursday and settled at minus 10 degree.
The mercury at world famous tourist resort of Gulmarg, where the ski slopes are covered under several feet of snow, remained constant at minus 8.5 degree. However, despite chilly weather conditions, tourists, including adventure loves, were enjoying different snow related activities, including skiing, in the ski resort.
The night temperature at Qazigund, the gateway to Kashmir valley dipped and settled at minus 7 degree. The mercury at Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kokernag improved and settled at minus 2.3 degree and minus 4.8 degree, respectively.
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