Cloud cover improves night temperature in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 5 (IANS) Night temperature improved in Jammu and Kashmir Monday due to a cloud cover in the valley where the Gulmarg ski resort received mild snowfall during night.

A MeT department official said here in the morning that Gulmarg town, known as a popular skiing destination, received "a mild snowfall during the night where the minimum temperature was minus 5.8 degrees Celsius today (Monday)".

"Srinagar city also showed improvement in the night temperature. The minimum temperature recorded during the night was minus 0.3 degrees. In Pahalgam, the minimum temperature today was minus 3 degrees," he said.

"Leh town of Ladakh region recorded minus 10 degree Celsius while Kargil town recorded minus 14 as the minimum temperature. In Jammu city, the minimum temperature was 7 degrees," he added.

The MeT official said weather is likely to remain partly cloudy and dry during the next 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir.

Interestingly, while the hills in the neighbouring Himachal Pradesh have received heavy snowfall in last 10 days, snowfall has been eluding the valley so far.

Farmers, in particular, and the common man in general are worried over the delayed snowfall because all the perennial water reservoirs of Kashmir are replenished during the 40-day period of harsh winter called by Kashmiris as "Chillai Kalan".

No snowfall during this period, from December 21 to January 31, means problems of irrigation and drinking water supply during the summers.