Kashmir in grip of cold wave

Srinagar, Feb 1 (PTI) Cold wave maintained its gripover Kashmir division today as the minimum temperature acrossthe region stayed below freezing point with Leh town in Ladakhbeing the coldest at minus 14 degrees Celsius.

Gulmarg skiing resort in north Kashmir was the coldestplace in the Valley, recording a low of minus 8.4 degreesCelsius, an official of the MET department said.

Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir was also freezingwith the mercury plunging by 0.4 degrees to settle at minus7.4 degrees Celsius.

Srinagar city, the summer capital of Jammu andKashmir, witnessed a drop of 0.2 degrees recording a minimumtemperature of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius.

Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir Valley, recordeda minimum of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius while the mercury inKupwara settled at a low of minus 1.8 degrees Celsius.

Although the Chillai Kalan -- the 40-day harsh part ofwinter in Kashmir -- has ended, there has been no change inthe cold wave conditions in the Valley.

Ladakh region also saw the mercury dipping by a degreelast night. Leh town recorded a low of minus 14.0 degreesCelsius and Kargil town registered minus 13.0 degrees Celsius.