Srinagar, Dec 27 (UNI) The chilly weather conditions further intensified as the mercury dipped and settled several degrees below normal across Kashmir valley, where moderate to heavy rain and snowfall is predicted on Sunday.



Most of the water bodies in Srinagar city had partially frozen in the morning as the mercury dipped and settled at minus 5.2 degree though there was some improvement in the day temperature due to sunshine.



Meanwhile, people continue to suffer in the Union Territory of Ladakh, including Drass -- the second coldest place in the world -- as the maximum and minimum temperatures remained below freezing point.



A Met department spokesperson said that moderate rain and snow would occur on Sunday and Monday at most places in the valley under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which has hit the region this evening.



The border town of Kargil was the coldest place in the region at minus 17.4 degree, followed by Leh, where the mercury settled at minus 12.9 degree.



The mercury in the city dipped about 2 degree from Saturday and settled at minus 5.2 degree, which is 3 degree below normal. Most of the water bodies, including world famous Dal Lake, were partially frozen due to sub-zero temperature. People woke up to a chilly Sunday morning in the city, where mechanics and drivers had burned wood on roadsides to keep themselves warm. However, as the day progressed sun came out though chilly weather conditions continued due to ice cold winds.



World famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, was the coldest place in the valley. Against minus 6.5 degree recorded on Saturday, the night temperature in Gulmarg was 7.2 degree, which is over a degree below normal. “Despite chilly weather conditions, tourists, including foreigners, were out on ski slopes enjoying different snow related activities. The footfall of tourists has started to increased in the resort, which is known for its ski slopes and quality of snow,” a hotelier from Gulmarg told UNI over the phone.



World famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, also witnessed a dip in the night temperature and settled a degree below normal. Against minus 4.5 degree recorded on Saturday, the night temperature in the resort was minus 5.9 degree.



The night temperature at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kukernag dipped and settled at minus 5 degree, minus 4.8 degree and minus 4.9 degree, respectively.

UNI ABS JW1636