Leh in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir was the coldest recorded place in the state as the night temperature there remained several degrees below the freezing point even as the Valley braced for possible heavy snow next week.
The Meteorological Department has said a western disturbance would affect the state next week and warned of heavy rain and snow.
The night temperatures across all stations in the Kashmir Valley, except at Gulmarg and Ladakh region decreased on Thursday night, an official of the MET department said here.
He said Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3 degrees Celsius on Thursday night, down from minus 2.7 degrees Celsius the previous night.
The official said the mercury in Qazigund in south Kashmir settled at a low of minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, down over a degree from minus 1.4 degrees Celsius the previous night.
He said Kokernag town recorded a low of zero degrees Celsius down from 1.3 degrees Celsius on Thursday.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a low of minus 3.3 degrees Celsius, down from the previous night’s minus 2.7 degrees Celsius, the official said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius slightly up from previous night’s minus 2.5 degrees Celsius.
The resort was the only place in Kashmir division where the night temperature marked an increase on Thursday night.
He said Pahalgam registered a minimum of minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, a decrease of over three degrees from the previous night’s minus 1.3 degrees Celsius.
Leh, in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded the minimum temperature of minus 12.3 degrees Celsius on Thursday night compared to minus 12 degrees Celsius the previous night, the official said, adding that Leh was the coldest recorded place in the state.
He said the nearby Kargil town recorded a low of minus 7.2 degrees Celsius as against the previous night’s minus 7 degrees Celsius.
The MET office has said while the weather is likely to remain dry in the Valley till December 10, a fresh western disturbance is most likely to affect the state from December 11 to 15 with moisture feeding taking place from the Arabian Sea.
Under the influence of this system, moderate to heavy rain or snow is expected at widespread places of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh region.
The main activity of this system (moderate to heavy rain or snow) is likely to occur during December 12-13 and gradual decrease thereafter, the official said.
He said this would be the first major wet spell during the current season for the state.
The official said the weather system might lead to disruption of surface and air transport and there would be significant fall in the day temperature and slight rise in night temperature.
The Divisional Administration Kashmir has issued weather advisory and asked all Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir Division to take all precautionary measures in their respective districts.
It is enjoined upon all Deputy Commissioners, all head of departments and district superintendents of police to activate manpower and machinery and to be in a state of preparedness, so as to minimise disruption of essential services, road connectivity at the earliest, restoring electric supply, water supply, health care services etc, reads the advisory issued by divisional commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Khan.
Khan has also ordered closure of the Sonamarg-Gumri road (Zojila Pass), which connects the Kashmir Valley with the Ladakh region, from December 10 for all types of traffic until further notice.
The decision has been taken in view of the expected snow and slippery road conditions.
Heavy Snow, Rain predicted across Kashmir Valley next week
