Cold wave intensifies in Kashmir

Night temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir continued their free fall Thursday as the prevailing cold wave conditions intensified in the Valley.

A weather official told IANS that the drop in temperatures was because of dry weather.

"This has intensified the cold wave across the state," the official said.

Srinagar's minimum temperature was minus 4.8 degrees Celsius Thursday, while Gulmarg and Pahalgam recorded minimum temperatures of minus 3.4 and minus 7.2 degrees Celsius respectively.

At minus 15.8 degrees, Kargil town was the coldest town in the state Thursday; Leh town recorded minus 14.8 as the day's minimum.

Jammu city recorded 7.8 degrees Celsius as the minimum overnight temperature.

As a weak, feeble morning sun struggled against dense fog to greet people on the New Year, celebrations remained a subdued affair because of the devastation Kashmir has seen during the unprecedented floods last September.