SRINAGAR : Parts of the world famous Dal Lake were frozen this morning near banks and interior areas of the water body as chilly conditions further intensified in the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region. People in Leh and Kargil regions continued to freeze as the mercury remained below freezing point. However, the day temperature remained above normal though icy cold winds continued in the valley. A Met department spokesperson said weather will remain dry and cold over Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours. He said there would be no large change during subsequent four days when the night temperature would drop further. Parts of the Lake in the summer capital Srinagar, were frozen after the minimum temperature dropped further. Other water bodies and taps were also frozen as the chilly conditions further intensified due to dry weather and open sky during the night.
However, the frozen parts near banks started melting as the day progressed. But interior areas remained frozen. Dal Lake was frozen completely in 1965 when a jeep crossed the water body. However, in 1986 the water body was again frozen and become a major attraction for locals and tourists who were taking photographs in the middle of the lake. Water supply in some areas was also affected as taps were frozen.
Met department spokesman said the mercury dropped to minus 4 degree, two notches below normal. However, the coldest so far was recorded minus 4.4 degree on December 11.
He said the maximum temperature will remain above normal in the summer capital.
He said the sky would be partly cloudy with haze tomorrow and the maximum temperatures would be around 12 degree, three notches above normal and minimum minus 4 degree, more than two notches below normal in Srinagar. Pahalgam about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, witnessed coldest night of the season after the mercury dropped to minus 6.8 degree, 2.4 degree below normal. Earlier coldest was minus 5.6 degree recorded on December 11. Water bodies, including lakes and nallahs were frozen, in the health resort and water level in river Lidder has dropped considerably as snow on upper reaches also remained frozen.
However, the minimum temperature at world famous ski resort of Gulmarg recorded some improvement in the minimum temperature. Against yesterdays minus 5.2 degree recorded yesterday, it was 3 degree, two notches above normal. Qazigund gateway of Kashmir and tourist resort of Kokernag in south Kashmir also recorded drop in the minimum temperature. At Qazigund it was minus 3 degree, a notch below normal while Kokernag witnessed minus 3.6 degree, 2.6 degree below normal.
Kupwara in north Kashmir also recorded coldest night of the season after the mercury dropped to minus 4.9 degree, three degree below normal.
Met spokesman said there was considerable drop in the minimum temperature at Leh and Kargil due to dry weather and clear sky.
He said it was minus 13 degree at Leh against yesterdays minus 10 degree while at border town of Kargil it was minus 12.8 degree against yesterdays minus 11 degree. He said the sky would remain clear and the maximum and minimum temperature would be around 6 degree and minus 10 degree respectively.
(AGENCIES)
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