As plains sizzle, cool Kashmir Valley beckons visitors

Srinagar: As the temperatures continue to soar in the plains, the salubrious weather in the Kashmir Valley has been attracting tourists in large numbers. Hundreds of tourists are thronging the hill stations of Sonamarg, Pahalgam and Gulmarg as they are finding the weather there soothing and pleasant.
While Jammu recorded the season’s maximum temperature at 44.2 degrees Celsius Thursday, Srinagar recorded 29.7 degrees as the day’s maximum temperature Friday.
“The minimum temperature in Srinagar was 14.7 today.
“Pahalgam recorded 26.6 as the day’s maximum and 6.5 as the minimum today while Gulmarg was cool at 8.3 degrees Celsius during the night. We haven’t received the day’s maximum from there yet.
“Leh in Ladakh region recorded 26.7 and 8.8 as maximum and minimum temperatures, respectively, during the day.
“Kargil recorded 23.2 and 9.2 degrees as maximum and minimum temperatures,” R.L. Pandita, assistant director of the local met office, told IANS here.
Almost all the hotels in Sonamarg, Gulmarg and Pahalgam are completely sold out these days as more and more tourists are pouring into the Valley each day.
“It is simply heaven. Imagine landing in 24 degrees from the unbearable temperature of over 40 degrees back home,” said Sanjay Kumar, 34, a tourist from Delhi who arrived in Srinagar a few days back.
With summer recess in educational institutions in Delhi and other metropolitan cities, hoteliers, taxi operators and houseboat owners expect the season’s rush to pick up further.
The annual Amarnath Yatra also begins June 28 this year.