Cold wave sweeps Kashmir valley

The mercury plunged by several degrees on Monday forcing residents to take shield from a chilling cold as rains lashed the region and snow fell over the mountains.

The rainfall lashed most areas of the Kashmir valley causing a considerable drop in the temperature. Srinagar received 18.9 mm rainfall during the past 36 hours, the state Meteorological Department said.

The lengthy spell of rainfall caused a winter’s chill in the city as the mercury took a deep plunge. The city recorded a maximum of 11.8°C on Monday, which was a drop of 12 degrees from yesterday’s maximum temperature.

The drop in the temperature forced residents to stay indoors during the day, which was marked by a shutdown. There were reports of snowfall at several high altitude places, including mountains surrounding Srinagar and near Simthan Top in south Kashmir.

The Meteorological Department said it recorded downpour at all places in north and south Kashmir. The Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir received 61 mm rain in the past 36 hours and recorded the lowest day temperature in the region as the mercury registered a high of 7.9°C, which was a drop of 11 degrees from the normal temperature.

Kupwara town in the north Kashmir received 50.7 mm rain in the past 36 hours while the maximum temperature was recorded at 10.9°C.

The weather department said there would be a decrease in rainfall on Tuesday with downpour expected at isolated locations. The department said the next three days beginning Wednesday will have dry weather followed by isolated rainfall on Saturday and scattered rainfall on Sunday.