Intense cold wave gripped Kashmir valley as the mercury slipped below the freezing point for the second time this season with most of the tourist resorts like Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Kokernag recording sub zero temperatures. Pahalgam was the coldest place in the Valley last night with the minimum temperature recorded at just minus 6.2 degree celsius while world famous skiing resort of Gulmarg was the second coldest place in Kashmir at minus five (-5.0) degree celsius, a MET official said.
Qazigund recorded a minimum temperature of minus four (-4.0) degree celsius followed by Kupwara at minus two (-2.0) degree celsius, Kokernag at minus 1.6 degree celsius and Srinagar, the summer capital, at minus 1.4 degree celsius.
The minimum temperature recorded last night were four to five degrees below normal for this time of the year.
The sharp dip in night temperatures has caused problems for the residents and commercial establishments in Pahalgam and Gulmarg areas. There were complaints of frozen taps from many places in these areas.
"The cold is very severe and our taps were frozen when we woke up in the morning. This is unusual for this time of the year," Shabir Ahmad, a resident of Tangmarg said.
A thin layer of ice had frozen over many water bodies in the valley but as the sun shone brightly since early morning, it melted away quickly.
Maximum temperature across the Valley also stayed three to five degrees below normal. The maximum temperature in Srinagar was 13 degree celsius while in Pahalgam it was just 7.2 degree celsius.
The MET official said the weather shall remain mainly dry over the next 24 hours.
Sudden drop in temperatures has led to increase in the sale of Kangris, the earthen firepots in wicker baskets, used by local residents to keep themselves warm. The sale of modern gadgets like electric and gas heaters have also increased over the past few days.
Kashmir valley witnessed season's first snowfall last Monday with Shopian and Pulwama districts of South Kashmir getting substantial snow alongside Gulmarg resort and its adjacent areas while the plains including Srinagar received moderate to heavy rains.
The downpour ended over three-month long dry spell in the Valley which had adversely affected agriculture and horticulture sector in Kashmir. It also provided a sigh of relief to children and elderly - many of whom were taken ill by common cold, cough and respiratory problems.
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