Srinagar, Feb 2:: After weeks of intense cold, several parts of Kashmir witnessed a noticeable improvement in minimum temperatures on Monday, bringing some relief to residents across the Valley.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 2.6 degrees Celsius, several notches higher than the sub-zero conditions that prevailed through much of January. Residents said night temperatures have improved significantly in recent days, making the cold more bearable.
“The nights feel far less harsh now,” said Azad Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar’s Chanpora area. “January was extremely severe. Even indoors, it was difficult to cope with the cold,” he added.
Other parts of the Valley also reported marginal improvement in night temperatures. Qazigund recorded a low of 0.7 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag registered a minimum of minus 0.6 degrees.
In north Kashmir, Kupwara settled at minus 1.3 degrees Celsius. However, higher-altitude areas continued to experience severe cold. The ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 8 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest place in Kashmir, while the tourist resort of Pahalgam registered a minimum of minus 5.5 degrees Celsius.
An official from the Meteorological Department said the gradual rise in temperatures was in line with seasonal trends. “There has been some improvement in minimum temperatures, but cold conditions will persist, especially in higher reaches,” the official said, adding that weather fluctuations remain likely.
According to the forecast, Kashmir is likely to witness widespread light rain or snowfall between February 2 and 3. Weather is expected to remain partly cloudy from February 4 to 6, followed by another brief spell of cloudiness with light precipitation at isolated places on February 7. Dry weather conditions are likely from February 8 to 10.
Meanwhile, authorities have advised travellers to check road conditions before undertaking journeys, particularly in snowbound areas. Farmers have been urged to suspend agricultural activities for the next seven days, while residents living in avalanche-prone zones have been cautioned against unnecessary movement.
