SRINAGAR: Intense cold wave conditions prevailed across Kashmir, with minimum temperatures dropping several degrees below freezing, officials said on Thursday.A Western Disturbance is expected to impact the region, bringing the possibility of light snowfall over higher reaches on Friday and Saturday, they added.The night temperature dropped across most areas in Kashmir, with the valley continuing to experience freezing conditions. The drop in mercury led to the freezing of water supply lines, while a thin layer of ice covered the surface of several water bodies, including Dal Lake.Srinagar recorded a low of minus 7 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, slightly up from the previous night’s minus 7.3 degrees Celsius, the meteorological department said.Gulmarg, a tourist resort town known for skiing activities in north Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 6 degrees Celsius, up from minus 6.6 degrees celsius on the previous night.Pahalgam, the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, registered a minimum temperature of minus 8.6 degrees Celsius, slightly down from the previous night’s minus 8.4 degrees Celsius, it said.Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, logged a minimum temperature of minus 7 degrees Celsius, while Konibal, a hamlet in the Pampore area, was the coldest recorded place in the valley at minus 9 degrees Celsius.Kupwara, in north Kashmir, registered a low of minus 6.7 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag, in south Kashmir, was minus 5.5 degrees Celsius.The meteorological department has said an active Western Disturbance is set to impact Jammu and Kashmir from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon.Under the influence of the system, there is a possibility of light snowfall over the higher reaches towards the late afternoon of Friday till the forenoon the next day, the Met Office said.While the weather would stay mainly dry on December 29, 30, and 31, light snowfall is possible at isolated places in Kashmir from January 1-4.Kashmir is currently under the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ – considered as the harshest period of winter – which started on December 21.During the 40 days of Chillai-Kalan, the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum and the temperature drops considerably.It will end on January 30 next year, but the cold wave would continue.The 40 days are followed by a 20-day ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).
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