With the restoration of power supply to Kashmir valley after 48 hours last night, there was some respite to the people but the cold wave conditions have further intensified in the region with Kashmir valley recording coldest day with maximum temperature falling below freezing for the first time this season.
The Weatherman has forecast that the cold wave conditions may continue to prevail in Kashmir valley with Western Disturbance causing light to heavy snowfall on January 14, 15 and 16. The disturbance will be at its peak on January 15 and he has warned that there may be further disruption of air and surface traffic to Kashmir valley with the snowfall on January 15.
The Met office has forecast light rain and snow at many places in Kashmir valley and hilly areas of Jammu division for next 24 hours.
A Meteorological Department official said that it was the coldest day of the season with Srinagar recording maximum temperature of minus 0.5 degrees Celsius and minimum minus 4.2 .
The official said that the South Kashmir township and gateway to Kashmir valley, Qazigund recorded a maximum temperature of minus 0.7 degree Celsius and minimum of minus 7.4.
The official said that South Kashmir tourist spot of Pahalgam recorded maximum temperature at minus 0.7 degree Celsius and minimum at minus 6.8 degrees Celsius.
Another South Kashmir tourist spot of Kokernag recorded a maximum temperature of minus 0.9 degree Celsius and minimum of minus 7.4 degrees Celsius.
Kupwara was the coldest town in Kashmir valley with maximum temperature recorded at minus 0.7 degree Celsius and minimum at minus 5.1 degrees Celsius.
The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a low temperature of minus 14.5 degrees Celsius and yesterday it was freezing at minus 16.5 degrees Celsius.
In the meantime, the restoration of the power supply brought respite to the people across Kashmir but with the subzero temperatures, water tapes are frozen and after power, there is water crisis in the Valley.
The water tapes were normally freezing during the night and by afternoon they were melting but today as the temperature continued to be subzero the water tapes remained frozen.
If the weather conditions continued to remain same, the water crisis will deepen further.
And with the closure of Jammu-Srinagar National highway for the heavy vehicles even today, the supplies in Kashmir valley have started depleting. The mutton, chicken, fresh fruits and vegetable crisis have been reported across Kashmir. The residents have complained of LPG shortage but the divisional administration said there is enough stock of it in Kashmir.
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