Srinagar: Residents of Kashmir Valley got some respite from intense cold wave as night temperatures rose by a couple of degrees but stayed below the freezing point
across the region.
The minimum temperature in Leh town in the remote Ladakh region rose by almost three degrees to settle at minus 14.6 degrees Celsius, while in nearby Kargil town the night temperature was recorded at minus 14.4 degrees Celsius, a MeT department official said.
The Disaster Management Cell has forecast snowfall on Wednesday and day after.
Leh town on Sunday recorded this season's lowest temperature at minus 18.8 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, witnessed an increase of 1.1 degrees to settle at minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, the official said.
The summer capital on Sunday recorded 4.9 degrees Celsius, which for the second time was this season's lowest temperature here.
The South Kashmir resort of Pahalgam recorded a minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, while north Kashmir skiing resort of Gulmarg, the star attraction for tourists visiting the Valley during winter, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 8.0 degrees Celsius.
The gateway town of Qazigund in South Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 3.0 degree Celsius, while North Kashmir's Kupwara town recorded a minimum of minus 2.1 degree Celsius.
The Kashmir Valley has been reeling under intense cold since start of 'Chillai Kalan', a forty-day period of extreme chilling weather, on December 21.
The Valley is going through an extended dry spell which has resulted in an increase in common ailments like cough, cold and respiratory problems particularly among the children and elderly.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, January 03, 2012, 13:09