Srinagar, Jan 29 (UNI) Normal life was thrown out of gear after taps and water bodies, including Dal Lake, and snow on roads were frozen as chilly weather conditions further intensified resulting in major drop in the mercury in the Kashmir valley, where the harshest period of winter 'Chilai Kalan' will end tomorrow.
People were seen using all methods, including burning wood and kerosene blow lamps to defreeze the water in taps which was frozen due to sub zero temperature, including in Srinagar, where the minimum temperature witness a two degree drop and settled at minus 7.7 degree against minus 5.6 degree, which was 4.6 notches below normal yesterday when the maximum temperature was 3 degree, 4.5 notches below normal.
A Met department spokesman warned today that dry and cold weather will continue during the next 24 hours. However, end of the 40-day-long Chilai Kalan at 2400 hrs tomorrow would bring some relief in the night chill though day could become more cold.
He said during the subsequent two days, there could be isolated light rain or snow or thundershowers.
Water taps were frozen and roads had become slippery as people woke up this morning most parts of the Kashmir valley, including Srinagar.
There was no relief even after the day progressed due to cloudy sky and icy cold winds. However, in the afternoon sun appeared briefly behind the behind clouds, de-freezing taps in some areas much to the delight of people. Hundreds of water motors were also damaged due to freezing of water in the pipes.
In Srinagar, where the minimum temperature was minus 7.7 degree, life was thrown out of gear as only few passenger and local vehicles were seen on the roads, moving in a very low speed due to slippery conditions.
People remained indoors due to chilly conditions outside. Doctors have already warned that people having heart and blood pressure problem should avoid moving out in the cold. During this winter over a dozen persons, mostly youths, including a journalist and few security force personnel, have died due to heart attack in the valley. Shops and other activities also resumed very late due to chilly conditions.
Met spokesman said the cold wave conditions will continue in Srinagar during the next 24 hours when the sky would be mainly clear and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 5 and minus 7 degree respectively.
After recording minus 4 degree maximum temperature yesterday, world famous ski resort of Gulmarg witnessed yet another chilly night at minus 11.5 degree minimum temperature.
Despite severe cold wave conditions, the famed ski resort is visited by hundreds of visitors and locals besides Bollywood film units daily.
Pahalgam, the famed health resort was coldest in the valley at minus 12 degree minimum temperature while the maximum temperature yesterday was one degree after sun appeared for some time.
Kokernag recorded minus 11.4 degree minimum temperature, gateway of Kashmir Qazigund minus 10.8 degree and Kupwara minus 3 degree.
UNI BAS SV 1639