Gulmarg, Pahalgam coldest places in Kashmir

Ski resort of Gulmarg and picturesque Pahalgam were the coldest places in Kashmir as winter-like weather conditions continued to prevail on Sunday with light occasional rainfall in plains and snow on upper reaches throwing normal life out of gear in other parts of the valley.

The famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir experienced the coldest night of the season with  minimum temperature plunged to -3.2 degree Celsius on Sunday. About 3 inches of snow accumulated in the plains while it was over two feet at Affarwat in Gulmarg.

Bilal Bahadur, a free lance journalist who had gone for coverage told UNI from Gulmarg over phone that dense fog engulfed the entire famous tourist resort of Gulmarg with a thin visibility. Vehicles were playing with headlights on and shopkeepers also had lights on in their shops.

He said due to dense fog and cold weather, tourists prefer to stay in their respective hotels. A less number of tourists were seen moving around in the market of Gulmarg wearing warm clothes.

The authorities had also shut the famous Cable Car Gulmarg Gondola due to thin visibility and thick fog around the meadow of the valley.

He said the fog has also covered the entire Tangmarg-Gulmarg road making it difficult for the drivers to play on the track.

Picturesque of Pahalgam was the second coldest place in the valley where minimum temperature also dipped to –o.1 degree Celsius on Sunday. Occasional rainfall occurred in the plains while upper reaches experienced further snow.

The weather in Kashmir valley was cold and being Sunday less movement was visible on roads. Many people in Srinagar where the minimum temperature dipped to 2.8 degree Celsius , were seen wearing traditional “Pheran” , a long warm gown to coupe up with the cold winds.

A large number of people were seen purchasing warm sweaters, Jackets and blankets from the Sunday Market on Residency road in Srinagar.

The minimum temperature at Qazigund was 2.2 degree Celsius, Kupwara 3.0 degree Celsius and Kokernag in south Kashmir 1.2 degree Celsius after snowfall on Saturday.

The Meteorological Department Office has predicted widespread light to moderate rain and thundershowers with isolated heavy rain and snow in Jammu and Kashmir division during the next 24 hours.

UNI QAB