Valley records lowest temp in 17 years

For the first time in about 17 years the temperature in Srinagar dipped to minus 7.8 degree Celsius, almost freezing normal life.To add to the tough conditions, moderate to heavy snowfall is likely to take place within the next 48 hours with temperatures  expected to stay between 2 and minus 3.The last time mercury hit below -7 mark was on January 2, 1995, which was followed by an average minimum temperature of  around minus 4 degree Celsius.

“On January 2, 1995 the temperature recorded was minus 8.3 degree Celsius. And since then it is the first time we have seen temperature fall below minus seven,” duty officer at the meteorological department told Jk News.The valley was coldest on January 31, 1983 when the temperature was minus 14.4 degree Celsius. Afterwards, the mercury dipped to minus 9 degree Celsius in 1986, minus 8 degree Celsius in 1987 and minus 11.8 degree Celsius on January 20, 1991.The impact of the freezing cold was quite evident as people tried to heat the water pipes, tanks, car engines and everything  frozen due to the cold.  The auto rickshaw drivers, street vendors and labourers could be seen circled around the bonfires to  keep away the chill.“This is unimaginable. I do not remember the last time I saw the winter getting this cold. Exposed to cold, your feet and hands will turn numb in a moment...” said Murtaza, an auto driver in mid twenties, who was sitting near a container-turned-furnace near Lal Mandi here.

The cold has frozen from end-to-end the Dal Lake, which, however, has become a spectacle of adventure for the dventure-loving-youth. While the boatmen faced great difficulties in rowing the boats and shikaras, many youths could be seen taking a walk on the frozen surface of the Lake.“I have come here to see the frozen lake and I must admit that it is a treat to watch. I in fact walked a few meters on the surface to see how it feels,” Ashiq Mohi-ud-Din of Nishat said.The Met department has forecast light or moderate rain/snow for the next 48 hours while the higher reaches might receive heavy snowfall.

“Light to moderate snow and rains are likely to occur at most places in Kashmir region and at a few places in Jammu and Ladakh regions,” the Met officials said, sounding the warning: “Rather heavy snow would occur at isolated places in Kashmir Jammu regions during the next 48 hours.”LPG shortage A week of road block has exposed the government’s hollow claims of maintaining enough stock of essential supplies in the  Valley.

At present, when the valley is expecting 48 hours of snow and rains, the consumer affairs and public distribution (CAPD) department only has two days stock of the LPG available while it is “hoping” to receive a little more by this evening.

“Right now we have two days stock with us, but we have more containers on the way and we are hoping to receive them by this evening. That will make us a sufficient stock for a total of six days,” the deputy director CAPD, Shafqat Iqbal, said.

Asked about the meager stock of the LPG, he said: “Normally we have a 15 day stock in the valley, but there was a problem with HPCL which affected the supplies.”The likely snowfall from tomorrow, which may lead to closure of the highway again, might make the matters worse.“We have the supplies on way and we hope that the road stays clear so that it reaches us,” the deputy director said.

Valley freezing at minus 2.3

The minimum temperatures were below the freezing point in the Kashmir Valley including Srinagar, with Leh shivering at minus 16.6 degrees. The minimum temperature
was minus 4.5 degrees in Srinagar, minus 7.4 in Pahalgam in south Kashmir and minus 7.5 in Gulmarg, meteorological office director Sonam Lotus told reporters. Leh in Ladakh region was the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 16.6 degrees. Kargil recorded minus 15.2 degrees, he added.The temperature in Srinagar was minus 2.3 degrees Thursday.The official said the weather would remain cold and dry across the valley and the Ladakh region during the next two days and there could be a further drop in the night temperatures. But despite the severe cold, a good number of domestic tourists thronged Kashmir."Our main attraction for coming to Kashmir is to enjoy the snow. I plan to welcome the New Year in Gulmarg," said tourist Rakesh Pande.

Lowest ever night temp 2011 in Jammu

Jammu is in the grip of severe cold wave as the temperature plummeted considerably since last evening.

According to Dr M K Khushu, Chief Scientist and Head Agronomy Division of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, the night temperature in the outskirts of Jammu district was recorded at 0.5 degree Celsius, about six degrees below the normal temperature.

"This is the lowest ever night temperature recorded in the outskirts of Jammu district during the last 30 years", he said, adding the night temperature in the Samba district was recorded at 0.2 degree Celsius while as the minimum temperature in Udhampur was 1.2 degree Celsius.

In response to a question, Dr Khushu said that as there is no indication of immediate rainfall, the temperature is likely to plummet further.