Ladakh shivers, warmer nights brin respite in valley

Srinagar, Jan 24, 2009: Barring Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh region, the mercury across Kashmir valley showed an upward trend today owing to an overcast sky, a spokesman of meteorological department said. Leh district of Ladakh region was the coldest with the night temperature recorded as minus degrees celisus, the spokesman said. Comparing to yesterday's minus 15.4 degrees Celisus,the night temperature recorded in Kargil district this morning was minus 8.6 degrees, the spokesman said.

He said the nights remained warm in rest of the valley including summer capital Srinagar where the minimum temperature was 3.2 degrees - over 5 degrees above normal. Srinagar also recorded the day temperature of over 12 degrees yesterday which is seven degrees above normal.

The night in Kupwara was a bit warmer than Srinagar with mercury settling at 3.4 degrees, the spokesman said adding the minimum temperature recorded at famous hill resort of Pahalgam was 1.1 degrees where minus 10 degrees was the normal temperature for this part of the season.

Aamir Ali, Officer on Special Duty with Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, said a western disturbance has hit the state and under its influence rain or snow is likely at many places today and tomorrow.

Besides, rain and snow is also likely at a few places on January 26 and 27,''' Ali said.

He said the higher reaches in North Kashmir and Pir Panchal range are likely to experience moderate to rather heavy snowfall during the next 48 hours.

-- (UNI) --