Srinagar, Dec 13 (Agency) After witnessing fresh snowfall on Saturday, the chilly weather conditions have intensified with mercury plunging several degrees below sub-zero at various places in Kashmir valley, where world famous ski resort of Gulmarg was the coldest place at minus 7.6 degree. Meanwhile, the night temperature in the Union Territory of Ladakh also witnessed a considerable dip due to partial cloudy skies.
The mercury at border town of Kargil dipped over 9 degrees from Saturday and settled at minus 12.6 degree. Similarly, the night temperature at border town of Leh dipped about 6 degree and settled at minus 12.2 degree. A Met department spokesperson said light rain and snow cold occur during the next 24 hours in Kashmir. However, he said the weather will turn dry from Monday onwards, which could result in further dip in the night temperature though the maximum temperature could improve due to sunshine. After witnessing a dip of over 3 degree from Saturday in the night temperature, tourists woke up to a chilly Sunday morning Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashimr. As the day progressed sun played hide and seek though chilly weather conditions continued due to ice cold winds. Against minus 4 degree recorded on Saturday, the night temperature in Gulmarg, which is known for its ski slopes and quality of snow, dipped and settled at minus 7.6 degree. The minimum temperature in the ski resort was 3 degree below normal. The night temperature at world famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, dipped and settled at minus 3.2 degree, against minus 0.9 degree recorded on Saturday. But, the night temperature at the health resort was slightly above normal.
Another tourist resort, Kokernag, also witnessed a dip of about 2 degree from Saturday in the night temperature, which settled at minus 2.3 degree.
After witnessing an improved in the night temperature, people woke up to a chilly Sunday morning in the summer capital, Srinagar. However, as the day progressed, sun came out from behind the clouds though there was hardly any improvement in the day temperature as the intensity of the heat was less. Against minus 0.5 degree recorded on Saturday, the night temperature in the city settled at 0.1 degree, which is a degree above normal. The night temperature in Qazigund, gateway to the valley, and Kupwara in north Kashmir also improved and settled at 1.8 degree and zero degree.