Srinagar - The night temperature in Srinagar Saturday touched the lowest in 16 years at 7.8 degrees Celsius below the freezing point as intense cold gripped the valley, officials said. Authorities are on alert as more snow is expected over the next two days.
Following its forecast of moderate to heavy snowfall in the valley in the next two days, the local weather office issued an advisory for the rough weather ahead.
The present western disturbances over the state are likely to intensify and will affect Jammu and Kashmir and its adjoining areas till Jan 16, it said.
"Due to this weather system, moderate to heavy rain (in plains)/snowfall will occur at most places of Pir Panchal ranges in Kashmir division and at a few places over higher reaches of Jammu and Ladakh region. Some places of Pir Panchal range would receive heavy snowfall (35 cms and above) on Jan 15," the weather office said.
"This system is likely to disrupt surface and air transport systems of the state."
"During the above period, the day temperatures will fall by 2-3 degrees and the night temperature will rise by 1 to 2 degrees," said the advisory issued by Sonam Lotus, director of the local Meteorological office.
Srinagar recorded minus 7.8 degrees as the minimum temperature Saturday -- the lowest since 1995, when the city had recorded a low of minus 8.2 degrees.
"The lowest ever in Srinagar has been minus 14.2 degrees that was recorded on Jan 31, 1893," Lotus said.
The maximum temperature was 0.7 degree Celsius, which raised the day temperature above the freezing point for the first time in seven days.
The minimum temperature in Gulmarg ski resort was minus 15.2 degrees while it was minus 12.2 degrees in south Kashmir Pahalgam hill station.
Kargil town in Ladakh region recorded minus 17.2 degrees while Leh town recorded minus 13.6 degrees as the day's minimum temperature, said another weather official.
The state government has put on high alert all its departments associated with maintenance of essential supplies like water supply, electricity and consumer affairs and public distribution.
Snow clearance machines have been deployed in Srinagar and other district headquarters of the valley to maintain road connectivity between and within districts in view of the expected moderate to heavy snowfall here.
Life was thrown out of gear across the valley earlier this month due to a heavy snowfall in the Pir Panchal mountain range that disrupted the electric power supply for four days, affecting most of Srinagar city’s drinking water facilities.
Today : Sunday - May 27, 2012, 02:51pm (GMT+5.5)
