Mercury drops across Kashmir, widespread rains expected in next week: MeT

Srinagar: Barring Gulmarg and Kokernag, the minimum temperatures dropped across Kashmir Valley with Srinagar, the summer capital of the J&K, recording a low of minus 1.2°C, weatherman said on Wednesday.

Quoting an official from meteorological department, GNS reported that temperature in Srinagar, which had recorded a low of minus 0.9°C on the previous night, was minus 2.2 °C below the normal for this time of the year.

The temperatures this season, especially last month, remained far below normal. On January 31, the mercury plunged to minus 8.8°C, the coldest January night recorded in Srinagar after 30 years.

Qazigund, the gateway town of J&K, recorded a low of minus 2.5°C, same as on the previous night while the mercury settled at minus 4.5°C against 4.5°C in the world-famous tourist resort of Pahalgam on the previous night.

Kokernag, recorded a low of minus 0.2°C against minus 0.6°C on the previous night.

The mercury settled at minus 3.2°C in Kupwara against minus 2.8°C on the previous night while Gulmarg, the world-famous skiing resort, recorded a low of minus 3.8°C against minus 4.0°C on the earlier night, he said.

The weatherman has forecast scattered rainfall on February 22 and fairly widespread rains on February 23. (GNS)