Temp Increases As Kashmir Braces Up For Fresh Rains Next Week

Srinagar, March 19: Mercury increased in Kashmir Valley amid forecast for wet spell next week, weatherman said on Friday.
A meteorological department official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 5.8°C against 4.2°C on the previous night. The minimum temperature was 1.1°C above normal for this time of the year in the summer capital of J&K, the official said.
Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a low of 5.7°C against 3.8°C on the previous night while mercury settled at 0.7°C against 1.1°C on the earlier night at Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 6.0°C against previous night’s 2.6°C, the official said.
The minimum temperature settled at 6.6°C in Kupwara against 2.6°C on the previous night, the official said.
Gulmarg recorded minimum temperature of 0.0°C against minus 1.5°C on the previous night, the official said. The temperature at the world famous skiing resort which received nearly 3ft fresh snowfall last week was minus 2.3°C normal for this time of the year, the official said.
“There’s no forecast of any major rainfall activity till March 20. As of today, it looks like 70% chance of light to moderate rain /snow during March 21-23rd with peak on 22nd in J&K and at Sonmarg -Drass axis,” Director Meteorological department Sonam Lotus said.