Mercury below zero as rains, snow hit Kashmir

Normal life remained disrupted in Kashmir on Wednesday due to heavy rainfall in the plains and snowfall in upper reaches with mercury dropping below freezing point.

The Meteorological department has predicted inclement weather till Thursday. An official of Met department said weather is likely to remain disturbed till Thursday evening “as we expect snow and rain at different places in Kashmir.”

Snowfall in upper reaches has sent down chilly winds into the Valley. The official said famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded minimum temperature of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius and was the coldest place in the Valley while tourist resort Pahalgam, which serves as a base camp during the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, recorded 5.9 degree Celsius.

He said minimum temperature in Srinagar was 7.3 degrees Celsius while Jammu recorded 16 degrees Celsius minimum temperature. The minimum temperature in Leh town of frontier Ladakh region was 1.9 degrees Celsius while neighbouring Kargil town registered a low of 3 degrees.

As cold breeze from the snow-clad mountains brought down temperature, people were forced to put on woollen clothes, including the traditional pheran (Kashmiri gown).

Meanwhile, people were seen looking for heating devices in Srinagar markets.  The sale of heating appliances, kangris (local heaters), woollen clothes and blankets have picked up in the market.