After chill, temperature becomes normal in Kashmir, Drass still cold

Srinagar, Dec 28 (UNI) After about a fortnight of chilly days and nights, it was a sunny day today, much to the delight of people who were busy making shopping for Id, including animals for sacrifice.

However, people in Kargil and Drass, the second coldest place in the world, continued to shiver as the minimum temperature remained minus 20 degrees Celsius.

A weather office spokesman said the minimum temperature in the Kashmir valley was minus 2.2 degrees, which is near normal during the 40-day Chalai Kalan, coldest period of winter season.

The day was little hot today as the maximum temperature was recorded at 7.8 degrees at 1400 hours, which was about two degrees above normal, he said.

There was no report of any rain or snowfall from any part of the valley today, he added.

People in the valley were seen busy shopping for items, clothes and other items for Id-ul-Zuha on January 1 next year.

Animals for making sacrifices on 'Id' were being sold almost everywhere, including civil lines. However, the price of animals was high this time.

A UNI report from Kargil said the minimum temperature was recorded at minus 17 degrees while it was minus 20 degrees in Drass.

The temperature will fall further if the weather remained dry for next few days.

Meanwhile, 62 stranded passengers at Kargil were airlifted in two AN-32 flights from Kargil to Srinagar while 29 passengers of Drass and Kargil were taken there.

About 100 more passengers are still stranded at Kargil, official sources said.

The passengers were stranded since November 15 when the 434-km- long Srinagar-Leh National Highway was closed for traffic due to snowfall.

UNI BAS MS KN1750