The minimum temperatures dropped in Kashmir due to clear skies, as the meteorological department forecast largely dry weather over the next few days, officials said on Friday.
Tourist resorts, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, and several higher reaches received overnight snowfall on Wednesday night.
However, owing to clear skies, the night temperature decreased at most places in the valley, officials said.
Srinagar witnessed a sunny morning today.
On Thursday night, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 0.1 degrees Celsius, down from the previous night’s 2.2 degrees Celsius, an MeT official said.
The night temperature was 2.5 degrees Celsius above the normal for this time of year.
Gulmarg remained the coldest location in the Valley with the mercury settling at minus 7.0 degrees Celsius, 1.5 degrees below the previous night, according to officials.
In Pahalgam, the night temperature settled at minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, a drop of several degrees from the previous night’s minus 0.4 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund saw the mercury settle at minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag recorded a low of minus 0.5 degrees Celsius.
Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded the minimum of 0.8 degrees Celsius.
Kashmir is currently going through ‘Chilla-e-Kalan’, a 40-day period of extreme cold.
Meanwhile, authorities today restored regulated vehicular movement on the strategic Bandipora–Gurez road from the Gurez side, providing temporary relief to locals who had been facing connectivity issues due to adverse weather conditions.
Officials said following improvement in weather and completion of essential clearance work, controlled movement of vehicles was allowed from the Gurez side towards Bandipora.
The decision was taken after assessment of road conditions and safety parameters, particularly in snow-prone and avalanche-vulnerable stretches.
The Bandipora–Gurez road serves as the only surface link between the Gurez valley and the rest of Kashmir.
Its frequent closure during winter months often results in shortages of essential supplies and restricts movement of inhabitants, patients, and students.
Authorities clarified that the movement has been restored on a regulated basis and commuters were advised to strictly follow official advisories.
The drivers were asked to maintain lane discipline, avoid unnecessary travel, and cooperate with traffic and road maintenance personnel deployed along the route.