Cold wave fails to relent in Kashmir

The cold wave in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir intensified further while there was no respite for residents of Kashmir as the minimum temperature in most parts of the region stayed several degrees below the freezing point.

The minimum temperature in Leh town of Ladakh region fell by 2.4 degrees to settle at minus 20 deg C while Kargil town witnessed a drop of 3.2 degrees to record a low of minus 19 deg C, a MET department official said.

Pahalgam and Gulmarg tourist resorts were the coldest places in the Valley as mercury hovered around 10.4 degrees below the freezing point.

Srinagar city witnessed a slightly warmer night at minus 4.6 deg C, an increase of 0.2 degrees compared to yesterday.

Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, was freezing at minus 8.2 deg C while the night temperature recorded in Kokernag town in south Kashmir was minus 5 deg C.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 5 deg C.

As a result of the freezing weather, most areas wear a deserted look soon after dusk.

Kashmir Valley is in the grip of an intense cold wave as it is witnessing the annual forty days of harsh winter, locally called 'Chillai Kalaan'.