Chill intensifies in Kashmir; Leh freezes at minus 11.4 degree

Srinagar, Nov 22: There was no respite from chilly weather conditions in Kashmir valley, where the minimum temperature dipped further and settled several notches below freezing point due to open sky.

      Meanwhile, all water bodies, including ponds and khuls, were frozen in Ladakh region, where Leh recorded the coldest night of the season so far at minus 11.4 degree.
      A Met department spokesperson told UNI that weather will remain dry in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours which could result in further dip in night temperature. There would be no change in the weather during the subsequent two days.
      Leh was the coldest place in the region after mercury dipped  further by about a degree from yesterday and settled at minus 11.4 degree followed by border town of Kargil at minus 6.2 degree.
      He said the sky will be mainly clear during the next 24 hours in Leh, where maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 7 degree and minus 9 degree, respectively.
      Almost all water bodies, including ponds, khuls and some rivers, have frozen in the Ladakh region forcing authorities to stop water supply through pipes, particularly from evenings till mornings. Authorities have pressed into service tankers to supply water to consumers. However, in the far-flung and remote areas, people are using spring water, which remains warm during winter and cold in summer.
      Even though there was some improvement in the night temperature at Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, it was still the coldest place in Kashmir valley. Against minus 5.6 degree recorded yesterday, the night temperature at the ski resort was minus 5 degree, over 4 notches below normal.
      After witnessing the coldest night of the season so far, sun greeted people in the summer capital, Srinagar though the intensity of warmth was missing following ice-cold winds. Against minus 1.7 degree recorded yesterday, the night temperature at Srinagar was minus 2 degree, about 3 notches below normal.
      The spokesperson said the sky will be mainly clear sky during the next 24 hours in Srinagar, where maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 15 degree and minus 3 degree, respectively.
      World famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, also witnessed further dip in the night temperature as the mercury plunged and settled at minus 4.5  degree, against minus 2.7 degree recorded yesterday. The night temperature at Pahalgam was 3.5 degree below normal.
      The night temperature at Qazigund, gateway to the valley and tourist resort of Kukernag also dipped and settled at minus 1.6 degree and minus 0.4 degree respectively. UNI