Cold wave continues in J&K, Kargil freezes at minus 19

The minimum temperatures dropped again in Jammu and Srinagar cities on Tuesday due to nightlong cloud cover, sending down chilly wind from snow-clad mountains, the Met Office said.

At minus 19 degree Celsius, Kargil town recorded the lowest minimum temperature in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday followed by Leh at minus 13.8 degree Celsius, a Met department official said.

Chilly winds blowing into the Kashmir Valley from snow-topped mountains have added to the severity of "Chillai Kalan", the 40-day long period of harsh winter that will end on January 30.

The weather office has forecast further drop in night temperatures in Jammu region, Kashmir Valley and the Ladakh region during the next two to three days.

"The minimum temperature was 3.8 degrees Celsius in Jammu city on Tuesday while it was minus 4.9 degree Celsius in Srinagar city."

"Chilly winds blowing into Kashmir Valley and the plains of the Jammu region have added to the chill factor during the night while days are fairly warm in Jammu these days due to clear sunshine.

"Pahalgam recorded minus 6.6 degree Celsius and Gulmarg minus 6 degree Celsius as the night's lowest temperature today.

"Katra town recorded 7 degrees Celsius, Batote 3.8 degrees Celsius, Bannihil minus 2 degree Celsius, Bhaderwah and Udhampur both recorded 0.6 degree Celsius as the minimum temperatures on Tuesday," an official of the Met department said.

--IANS

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