Amid forecasts for rains, mercury falls in Kashmir  

 

Srinagar, April 20: Amid forecast for more rains in plains and fresh snowfall on higher reaches including the world famous skiing resort of Gulmarg, minimum temperatures in Kashmir were recorded below normal for this time of the year.

“Today, the weather will be generally cloudy in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh with 50%chances of brief shower in the evening at isolated to scattered places of J&K,” Director Metereological Department Sonam Lotus said.

“Scattered to widespread rain/thunderstorm and snowfall over higher reaches like Gulmarg, Zojila, and on higher reaches of Leh -Manali Highway is likely during 21-22nd.  Thereafter, mainly dry weather is expected till ending April,” he added.

Meanwhile, a meteorological department official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 7.2°C against 7.6°C on the previous night. It was 0.7°C below normal in the summer capital of J&K.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, saw a low of 4.9°C against previous night’s 7.4°C, the official said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 1.4°C same as on the previous night which was 2°C below normal, he said.

The mercury settled at 5.0°C at Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, against previous night’s 4.8°C and 6.5°C normal for the area during this time of the season, the official said.

Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a low of 4.5°C against 4.8°C on the previous night, the official said.

Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 1.0°C against 0.5°C on the previous night which was below 2.3°C than the normal for the area, the official said. (