Unabated cold wave sweeps Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 4 (IANS) Bone-chilling weather continued in Jammu and Kashmir Sunday as overnight temperatures remained several notches below the freezing point in the valley and Ladakh region.

Weather office Sunday forecast cold and dry weather will continue for next 24 hours, indicating a further drop in the minimum temperature.

"Present cold wave conditions will continue in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours as we are expecting dry, cold weather during this period," a Meteorological (MeT) department official said.

"The minimum temperature is minus 4.4 degrees Celsius in Srinagar today. It is minus 5.6 in Gulmarg and minus 6.4 in Pahalgam. Leh town recorded minus 12.2 while Kargil town was the coldest at minus 15 today."

"Jammu city recorded 8.7 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature today," the official added.

Due to the continuing dry spell in the valley, respiratory ailments including dry cough, influenza and chilblains (small, itchy, painful lumps that develop on the skin) are adding to the people's woes this winter.

The absence of snowfall has been worrying residents, as perennial water reservoirs of the valley get replenished by heavy snowfall during the ongoing 40-day period of harsh winter, called by Kashmiris as "Chillai Kalan".

Since "Chillai Kalan" commenced December 21 this time, there has been no snowfall in the valley this season.