Cold wave grips Kashmir as min temp dips below freezing point

Srinagar: Early morning fog and cold wave gripped Kashmir on Monday as the minimum temperature in the valley dipped below the freezing point at several places, including Srinagar city last night.
Srinagar city, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded the minimum temperature of minus 0.8 degrees Celsius, which was 1.2 degrees below the normal temperature for this time of the year, an official of the Indian Meteorological Department said.
The maximum temperature has also shown a decrease with the city recording a high of 12.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
Shopian was the coldest recorded place in the valley as the mercury settled at minus 3.8 degrees Celsius last night followed by Pahalgam in south Kashmir at minus 2.6 degrees Celsius.
Bandipora in north Kashmir recorded a low minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg recorded minus 1.2 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar city was covered by a dense fog early in the morning, causing difficulty to the motorists due to the low visibility.
The weather is expected to remain dry across the valley over the next 48 hours.
Moreover, with the onset of winter amid dense foggy conditions in Kashmir, the parents of school going children Monday appealed the Education Department to announce early winter vacation for elementary level students.
Besides, the Private School Association have also requested for the early winter vacations especially for the minor children.
The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has also urged the Directorate of School Education in Kashmir to declare early winter vacation for school children, citing the prevailing cold weather conditions.
President of the Alliance, Aijaz Shahdhar in a statement said that the students, particularly those in lower classes are grappling with the challenges of attending school in the frigid temperatures.
Principal Secretary, School Education Department, Alok Kumar said that it will announce winter vacations shortly for lower and primary classes. Kumar said, “We are considering lower and primary classes for early winter vacations and will announce decision shortly.”