Srinagar, Jan 27: People across Kashmir continued to shiver due to the ongoing biting cold as temperatures in the region continued to hover several degrees below freezing point. The local Meteorological Department forecast no improvement in weather conditions but light snowfall over the higher reaches in next 24 hours.
 The fringes of world famous Dal Lake in Srinagar continued to remain frozen for the second consecutive day. “Due to the ongoing cold wave over the entire State, we are not expecting any improvement in temperatures. Day temperatures in the region might increase by a small margin but night temperatures will not show any improvement,” MeT Director Sonam Lotus said.
 He said: “There is possibility of light snowfall over high altitudes of Kashmir region in the next 24 hours. However skies will continue to remain overcast for few more days.”
 The skies in both Jammu and Kashmir regions Sunday remained overcast for the entire day, leading to decrease of maximum temperatures as well.
 Due to the subzero temperatures, people in the Himalayan region are facing lot of difficulties including non-availability of water because of frozen pipelines and slippery roads that have accumulated frost.
 Lotus said in summer capital Srinagar, both minimum and maximum temperatures were recorded several degrees below normal. The minimum temperature in Srinagar settled at minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, which is one degree above yesterday’s minimum of minus 5.8 degree and maximum settled at 4.3 degree, which is two degrees less than normal. 
 The highway town of Qazigund recorded minimum of minus 8.2 degree Celsius and maximum of 6.3 degree Celsius.
 The minimum temperature at tourist destination of Pahalgam, which remained coldest place of the Valley, settled at minus 11.4 degree Celsius, one degree above last night’s temperature of minus 12.4 degree Celsius. Minimum temperature in ski resort of Gulmarg settled at minus 8 degree Celsius, two degrees above last night’s minimum of minus 10 degree.
 The frontier district of Leh recorded minimum temperature of minus 18.2 and maximum of 4 degree Celsius.
 Meanwhile SP Rural (Traffic), Manzoor Ahmad Dalal said that on 28.1.2013 (Monday), one-way traffic will continue to ply on Srinagar-Jammu highway. “Subject to fair weather conditions and good condition of road, all kinds of vehicles will be allowed to travel from Jammu side towards Kashmir in a regulated manner,” he said. “Today about 2500 passenger and goods-vehicles crossed the Jawahar Tunnel and entered Jammu region.”

Lastupdate on : Sun, 27 Jan 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 27 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:00:00 IST