Mercury rises but stays below zero in Kashmir

The minimum temperature stayed below zero level in Kashmir Valley despite further increase on Wednesday. The weather department here has already forecast mainly dry weather till the weekend.

Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.2°C against the previous night’s minus 1.6°C.Today’s minimum temperature, he said, was below normal by 0.3°C for the summer capital.

Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of minus 1.2°C against minus 3.0°C on the previous night and it was 1.1°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.

Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 3.6°C against minus 4.6°C on the previous night and it was 0.8°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Kokernag recorded a low of minus 1.5°C against minus 2.4°C on the previous night and it was 0.6°C below normal for the place, the officials said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 4.2°C against minus 7.2°C on the previous night and it was 2.6°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at minus 1.7°C against minus 3.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.5°C below normal for the north Kashmir area.

Jammu recorded a low of 9.8°C against 7.2°C on the previous night. It was 0.7°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.

Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 2.0°C (above normal by 1.3°C), Batote 6.0°C (above normal by 3.1°C), Katra 10.6°C (2.5°C above normal) and Bhadarwah 3.4°C (3.1°C above normal).

Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 10.4°C and minus 13.4°C respectively, the official said.

Regarding the forecast, he said, mainly dry weather was expected till February 18.

Kashmir is under the grip of a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’.