Cold wave conditions have intensified across Jammu and Kashmir after a fresh spell of rain and snowfall over the higher reaches, officials said on Friday.
The clear night skies and dry weather conditions are causing hardships for the local population, who are desperately waiting for snowfall in the plains.
Most of the weather stations in the Union Territory continue to experience freezing temperatures. The famous tourist places, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, received fresh snowfall on New Year’s Eve.
The MeT department has predicted mainly dry but cloudy weather conditions to persist in the region over the next few days, with fewer chances of rain or snowfall in the plains.
According to the MeT office in Srinagar, “The summer capital recorded a sharp dip on Friday night with the minimum temperature settling at minus 1.2 degrees Celsius compared to 0.1 degrees Celsius recorded on the previous day.”
However, there is a possibility of further light rain and snowfall in the higher reaches of the Kashmir Valley over the same period,” it said.
Jammu city remained the warmest place, with minimum temperatures hovering around 7.9 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg emerged as the coldest, with minus 6.5 degrees Celsius recorded on Friday night.
The Valley's main tourist attractions, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam, are witnessing a massive rush of tourists following the recent snowfall.
The recent rain and snowfall ended a month-long dry period in Kashmir, which had also been reflected in several water bodies, showing an increase in water levels following the snowfall recorded on December 20-21.
Meanwhile, the Valley is in the middle of the harsh 40-day “Chillai Kalan” period. During this period, the Kashmir Valley usually receives heavy snowfall, which replenishes the agricultural land, particularly the horticulture and saffron fields.
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