Slight rise in minimum temperatures in Kashmir, says MeT

The officials said that the minimum temperatures improved slightly at most places in Kashmir as a western disturbance is likely to impact the region on Friday bringing light snowfall over a few higher reaches reported news agency PTIUnder the influence of the western disturbance light rain is possible over the plains of Jammu and light snow over the higher reaches of the Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal range the Indian Meteorological Department IMD said reported PTIIntense cold wavelike conditions are prevailing across Kashmir as the minimum temperatures continue to settle several degrees below freezing due to dry weatherBoth the minimum and maximum temperatures have been staying below normal for this time of the seasonThe drop in temperature has led to the freezing of water supply lines and a thin layer of ice has covered the surface of several water bodies including Dal Lake reported PTISrinagar recorded a low of minus 73 degrees Celsius on Thursday night slightly down from the previous nights minus 7 degrees Celsius the MeT department said reported PTIGulmarg a town known for skiing activities in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 6 degrees Celsius the same as the previous night the department addedPahalgam the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir registered a minimum temperature of minus 8 degrees Celsius slightly up from the previous nights minus 86 degrees CelsiusQazigund the gateway town to Kashmir logged a minimum temperature of minus 69 degrees Celsius while Konibal a hamlet in the Pampore area was the coldest recorded place in the valley at minus 95 degrees Celsius reported PTIKupwara in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 64 degrees Celsius while south Kashmirs Kokernag registered minus 48 degrees CelsiusThe weather is expected to remain mainly dry from December 2931 and light snowfall is possible at isolated to scattered places in Kashmir from January 15 reported PTIThe MeT Office said there is a likelihood of some improvement in temperatures until MondayKashmir is currently under the grip of ChillaiKalan considered the harshest period of winter which began on December 21 reported PTIDuring the 40 days of ChillaiKalan the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum and the temperature drops considerablyIt ends on January 30 next year but the cold wave continues even after that in the valley The 40 days are followed by a 20day ChillaiKhurd small cold and a 10day ChillaiBachha baby coldWith inputs from PTI