Respite from intense cold wave in Kashmir, mercury rises slightly

Kashmir saw a slight respite from the intense cold wave conditions as minimum temperatures rose across the Valley, though they remained below the freezing point, the Meteorological Department officials said on Sunday.

The summer capital, Srinagar, recorded a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, an improvement from minus 4.6 degrees Celsius the previous night, the Met department said.

It said that Gulmard, a tourist destination popular for skiing, registered a minimum of 3.8 degrees Celsius, marking a rise of nearly four degrees.

Pahalgam, the base camp for annual Amarnath Yatra, logged a low of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, three degrees higher than the previous night, the weather office said.

Konibal, a hamlet on the outskirts of Pampore town, was the coldest place in the Valley with the mercury dipping to minus 5.2 degrees Celsius, it added.

The minimum temperature in Qazigund, the gateway to Kashmir, was minus 4.0 degrees Celsius, 3.7 degrees in Kupwara of north Kashmir and 2.8 degrees Celsius in Kokernag of south Kashmir, it said.

According to the Met office the weather is likely to remain mainly dry till December 21.

However, the minimum temperature is predicted to fall further in the Valley and there will be a cold wave over many stations during the next three days, it said.