Snow-rain still elude Kashmir, minus 7 degree C disrupt life

Srinagar, Jan 3 (UNI) As snow and rain eludes the Kashmir valley owing to low Western Disturbances (WD) from Arabian sea, severe dry cold because of minus 7 degree temperature, coupled with unscheduled and frequent power failure and water shortage affected normal life.

Cold-related diseases, particularly among children and elderly persons, are on the rise and long queues could be seen outside the medical shops in the valley.

A weather office spokesman said people reeled under severe cold as the minimum temperature continued to remain below minus seven degrees Celsius.

After the coldest night yesterday, when the temperature dipped to minus 7.4 degree, a temperature of minus 7 degree was recorded this morning, which was five degree below normal.

The day was also comparatively cold with a partially cloudy sky.

The spokesman said the western disturbances, originating in Arabian Sea, are heading towards the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan. We expect some relief, including snow or rain during the next three days, he said, adding it mainly depends upon how strong western disturbances are.

He said we are not receiving proper western disturbances and the entire region, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, is facing dry, but cold, weather.

In Kashmir, long queues could be seen outside the medical stores as people complained of cold related diseases, including cough, bad cold and fever, because of dry weather.

Experts have warned that children and elderly persons should avoid venturing out early morning and late in the night, when the temperature goes down.

Temprature will improve once there is snowfall or rains, which will also help contain cold related diseases, they said.

Water in the Dal Lake remained frozen and children were seen throwing stones and walking on its surface.

People in Kargil, Leh and Drass, the second coldest place in the world too are reeling under severe cold with minimum temperature still remaining between minus 14 degree to minus 16 degree celsius.

UNI BAS QAB AKJ HT1640