Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Jan 12 : An intense cold wave continued to affect Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Monday, disrupting normal life and business activity, even as minimum temperatures across most parts of the region showed a marginal improvement compared to the previous day.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, a significant rise from minus 5.2 degrees Celsius a day earlier. Similar improvement was recorded in other areas, with Qazigund at minus 3.6 degrees compared to minus 5.8 degrees yesterday, and Pahalgam recording minus 3.4 degrees, up from minus 7.6 degrees.
Pulwama, however, remained one of the coldest places in the Valley at minus 6.5 degrees Celsius, though still warmer than Sunday’s minus 7.7 degrees. Shopian recorded minus 5.2 degrees, up from minus 8.6 degrees, while Kupwara settled at minus 3.7 degrees, improving from minus 5.6 degrees.
Gulmarg, the ski resort, recorded minus 3.4 degrees, compared to minus 6.2 degrees a day earlier.
In the Jammu region, minimum temperatures hovered above freezing at most places, though dense fog continued to affect normal life.
Jammu city recorded 3.4 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than Sunday’s 4.0 degrees, while Banihal settled at 5.1 degrees, down from 7.1 degrees.
Samba recorded 0.7 degrees, improving from minus 0.7 degrees, and Rajouri saw temperatures rise to 0.8 degrees from minus 1.6 degrees.
Ladakh remained the coldest region, though temperatures there also showed a slight rise.
Leh recorded a low of minus 10.8 degrees, compared to minus 13.4 degrees a day earlier, while Hanle registered minus 15 degrees, up from minus 16.3 degrees. Kargil recorded minus 9.3 degrees, improving from minus 12.3 degrees.
Officials said dense fog across the plains of Jammu severely impacted vehicular movement during early morning hours, while markets witnessed thin attendance due to harsh weather conditions.
Street vendors and small traders reported reduced business as residents preferred staying indoors.
*DRY WEATHER TO PREVAIL TILL JAN 15*
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar forecast mainly dry weather till January 15, with cloudiness likely towards the evening.
Light rain or snow is expected at isolated to scattered higher reaches between January 16 and 17, while light to moderate rain or snow may occur at several places between January 20 and 22.
The MeT department also said that minimum temperatures are likely to rise gradually, though moderate to dense fog is expected to persist over the plains of Jammu division for the next five days—(KNO)
