Srinagar: With clear night skies across the Kashmir Valley and the Ladakh region Friday, the minimum temperature continued to dip with Leh town recording a bone-chilling minus 17.8 degrees, the lowest so far this season.
"The minimum temperature fell to the lowest so far this season in Leh town. It was minus 17.8 degrees," Sonam Lotus, Director of the Regional Meteorological office, said.
"Srinagar city recorded minus 1.2 degrees while the north Kashmir ski resort of Gulmarg also recorded the lowest this season so far. Gulmarg witnessed a night temperature of minus 12 degrees while it was minus 8.2 degrees today (Friday)," he added.
Severe cold wave conditions have again started in the valley after a respite Tuesday and Wednesday when the mountains received fresh snowfall and light rain lashed the plains here.
"The present weather conditions will continue for at least five to six more days," Lotus said.
Even though the 40-day long severe winter period known as Chillai Kalan started here Wednesday, locals are disappointed with the absence of snowfall in the plains so far.
"I remember my childhood - long boots, frozen lakes, icicles and tonnes of snow. It is unbelievable to see bright sunshine in Chillai Kalan and no snow, no icicles and yet the severest cold," said Bashir Ahmad War of north Kashmir`s Ganderbal district.
IANS
