Mercury drops further in Kashmir, minus 25.2°C in Drass

Srinagar: Night temperatures dropped further in Kashmir as Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort, remained the coldest place in Kashmir Valley on Friday, officials said.

In union territory Ladakh, Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 25.2°C against last night’s minus 22.9°C, official said.

A meteorological department official here told GNS Srinagar, the summer capital of the J-K, recorded a low of minus 2.2°C against last night’s minus 0.1°C, he said.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, witnessed a low of minus 3.3°C against minus 2.0°C on the previous night, he said.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, had a low of minus 3.6°C against minus 2.7°C on the previous night, the official said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 9.4°C against minus 8.5°C last night, he said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 10.2°C against minus 10.4°C on the previous night, he said.

The temperature was 4.0°C below normal for this time of the year in the famous resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.9°C against minus 1.9°C on the previous night, the official said.

While the ‘Chillai Kalan’, the 40-day long harshest period of winter ended on January 30, Kashmir is under the grip of the 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ which would be followed by 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.

Jammu recorded a low of 5.3°C against previous night’s 7.1°C, the official said.

The temperature was 4.8°C below normal for the J-K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.

Banihal recorded a low of 2.8°C, Batote had a minimum of 1.6°C while Bhaderwah recorded a low of minus 1.2°C, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 15.8°C against last night minus 15.0°C while mercury at automatic station in Kargil settled at minus 18.0°C.

The weatherman has forecast dry weather for next few days. (GNS)