Cold wave intensifies in Kashmir; Leh shivers at -17.1 Celsius
The cold wave sweeping Kashmir intensified today as the mercury stayed several degree below the freezing point, resulting in frozen water bodies and water supply lines in several residential areas. Leh town in Ladakh region recorded the lowest temperature this winter as mercury plummeted to -17.1 degree Celsius last night, Met department officials said. The nearby Kargil recorded a low of -14.4 degree Celsius.
Srinagar recorded -6.7 degree Celsius last night
Srinagar, which recorded the coldest night in 11 years on Monday at -6.8 degree Celsius, experienced a similar minimum temperature last night at -6.7 degree Celsius, the official said. He said Qazigund, the gateway town to the Valley in south Kashmir, recorded a low of -5.9 degree Celsius, while the nearby Kokernag town registered a low of -5.4 degree Celsius last night.
Coldest place in the valley was Gulmarg, North Kashmir's ski-resort
Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a low of -6.4 degree Celsius. The night temperature in Pahalgam, which serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, settled at -7.9 degree Celsius, the official said. The ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir was the coldest place in the Valley at -9.4 degree Celsius.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chillai-Kalan'
The cold wave has resulted in the freezing of some water bodies, including the fringes of the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar, and residential water supply pipes in Srinagar and other towns of the Valley. Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chillai-Kalan', the 40-day harshest period of winter, when the chances of snowfall are maximum, and the temperature drops considerably.
Common ailments increased in valley due to dry winters
The winter this season has been largely dry, although there was a spell of snowfall in the Valley early November. The prolonged dry spell has resulted in an increase in common ailments like cough, cold and other respiratory problems, especially among children and elderly people. The weatherman has predicted rain or snowfall at isolated places in the Valley, and Ladakh region on Wednesday.
