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Srinagar Dec 25: The mercury plummeted across Kashmir Valley with most places including Srinagar recording this season’s coldest night on Sunday.

A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 5.8°C against the previous night 5.4°C. Today’s minimum temperature was the coldest recorded so far during this season and 3.8°C below normal for the summer capital, the official said.

Qazigund recorded a low of minus 5.0°C against minus 4.4°C on the previous night. The temperature was 3.0°C below normal as well as the season’s coldest for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 7.0°C against 6.4°C on the previous night. Apart from being below normal by 2.0°C, it was the coldest night this season in the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Kokernag recorded a low of minus 2.2°C against minus 3.9°C on the previous night, he said. It was 0.1°C below normal for the place, he said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 5.6°C against minus 6.4°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 0.2°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the official said.

In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 6.0°C against minus 5.2°C on the previous night, the official said. While being 3.4°C below normal, it was the coldest temperature recorded so far this winter in the north Kashmir area, he said.

Jammu recorded a low of 4.1°C against 4.2°C on the previous night. It was 4.1°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal recorded a low of minus 0.3°C ( below normal by 1.2°C), Batote 0.6°C (2.1°C below normal), Katra 5.8°C (1.1°C below normal) and Bhadarwah minus 1.0°C (0.5°C below normal).

In Ladakh, Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 14.5°C and 12.4°C respectively, the official said.

Kashmir is under Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21 is in its infancy, it does not mean an end to the winter. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.

“Mainly dry weather is expected till 25th December. From December 26-30th, generally cloudy weather is expected with intermittent light snow at isolated to scattered places on higher reaches of North, Northwestern and central Kashmir during 29 (Night) -30th,” he said, adding, “Slight improvement in minimum temperature and respite from cold and dry weather is expected from 26th to 31st December.” (GNS)