Cold wave grips Kashmir Valley, Leh records -23 degree celsius

The mercury in Leh town in Ladakh region nosedived to minus 23.6 degrees celsius as Kashmir division was again gripped by an intense cold wave, officials said in Srinagar.

"Leh recorded a minimum temperature of minus 23.6 degrees Celsius which is the coldest of this winter," a MET department official said.

The cold wave has also intensified in Gulmarg skiing resort in north Kashmir and Pahalgam health resort in south Kashmir, where mercury plunged 12 degrees below freezing point. This was the coldest night in both tourist places this winter.

Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir valley near Jawahar tunnel, was freezing at minus 7.4 degrees Celsius while Kokernag town in Anantnag district witnessed a night temperature of minus six degrees Celsius.

The summer capital, which witnessed minimum of 0.8 degrees above melting point of ice yesterday, plunged to minus 2.4 degrees Celsius today.

With no downpour forecast over the next 24 hours, the cold wave in Kashmir division, which includes Ladakh region also, is likely to intensify.

Meanwhile, two-way traffic has been resumed on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only road link between Kashmir and rest of the country.

One way traffic from Jammu to Srinagar was allowed yesterday after remaining closed for two days following snowfall last week.

A spokesperson of the Traffic Control Room said vehicles were allowed to cross the Jawahar tunnel till 12 noon.

"Permission to cross the tunnel after noon will be given only in cases of emergency and tourist vehicles," he said.