Srinagar: Minimum temperatures remained several notches below the freezing point in the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh on Wednesday as the weather office forecast another wet spell beginning on January 22.
“Another Western Disturbance of moderate intensity is most likely to affect J&K and Ladakh during 22nd night to 24th with main activity on 23/24th.
“This will cause widespread moderate snowfall in hilly areas of Jammu, plains of Kashmir, rains in plains of Jammu and light snowfall in scattered places in Ladakh. This may lead to temporary disruption of surface and aircraft transport,” an official of the meteorological (MET) department said.
Bitter winter cold continued across the valley although there has been improvement in the minimum temperatures.
This marginal improvement has not brought any appreciable relief for the residents since water pipes continue to remain frozen and in most places these pipes have burst resulting in scarcity of potable water.
The 40-day long ongoing period of harsh winter cold known locally as the “Chillai Kalan” will end on January 31.
Srinagar had minus 6, Pahalgam minus 8.3 and Gulmarg minus 6.5 as the minimum temperature on the day.
Leh town of Ladakh was at minus 15.1, Kargil minus 19.2 and Drass at minus 25.8 degrees Celsius.
Jammu city had 6.8, Katra 7.2, Batote 2.7, Bannihal 2.2 and Bhaderwah minus 0.5 as the minimum temperature.
