Kashmir valley receives fresh snowfall

Srinagar: Many areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall while plains experienced intermittent rains breaking the long dry spell, even as there was a huge improvement in the minimum temperature across the Valley.
The hill resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir, which serves as the base camp for annual Amarnath yatra, received light snowfall and there was an improvement of four notches in the minimum temperature which settled at minus 1.9 degrees Celsius, an official of the Meteorological department here said.
He said there were reports of snowfall in many areas in the higher reaches of the Valley including Peer Ki Gali on Mughal Road in Shopian, Sonamarg, Amarnath Cave Shrine, Razdan Pass, Sadhna Top and Gurez.
The official said most of the areas in the plains, including summer capital Srinagar, experienced intermittent rains.
Meanwhile, the night temperature marked an improvement as the mercury went up several notches providing relief to the residents from the cold conditions.
The mercury in Srinagar rose over four notches from the previous night’s minus 3.3 degrees Celsius to settle at a low of 1.0 degree Celsius, the official said, adding the minimum stayed above the freezing point for the first time in several nights.
The night temperature in Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir Valley also went up from minus 3.9 degrees Celsius the previous night to settle at a low of minus 2.3 degrees Celsius.
The minimum temperature in the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir, the star attraction for tourists visiting the Valley during winter, went up from minus 4.5 degrees Celsius to settle at minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, the official said.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded the minimum of minus 3.1 degrees Celsius, while the mercury in Kokernag, in south, settled at a low of 1.6 degrees Celsius, he said.
The night temperature in Leh settled at a low of minus 9.5 degrees Celsius an increase of over five notches from the previous night’s low of minus 14.7 degrees Celsius, the official said.
He said the data for Kargil was not available.
The Meteorological Department has said there is possibility of isolated rains in the plains and snowfall in the higher reaches over three days.
After three days, there are chances of widespread rains or snowfall for two days on January 29 or 30.
The Valley is currently under the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ the 40-day harshest winter period.
‘Chillai-Kalan’, which began on December 21 and ends on January 31, is the period of winter when the chances of snowfall are usually most frequent and maximum.
The 40-day period is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day long ‘Chillai Bachha’ (baby cold). (PTI)