Srinagar : The fortnight-long cold wave across the Kashmir Valley broke Tuesday as mountains received fresh snowfall, making locals heave a sigh of relief.
The Sonamarg tourist resort received 10 cm of fresh snowfall Tuesday while there was snowfall in Pahalgam and Gulmarg as well, Sonam Lotus, director of the meteorological office, said .
The official said the western disturbance was still active over the valley and more rain and snowfall were likely in many places.
Because of the overcast night sky, the minimum temperatures have risen, providing relief to locals from the severe cold wave that lashed the valley for more than 15 days.
“The minimum temperature was minus 0.3 degrees in Srinagar, minus 1.2 in Pahalgam and minus 7.0 in Gulmarg,” said another official.
Leh in the Ladakh region remained the coldest town in the state with a minimum temperature of minus 6.4 degrees.
The 40-day period of severe winter cold known locally as the ‘Chillai Kalan’ begins here Wednesday.
Traditionally, the Chillai Kalan is the period during which snowfall in the mountains replenishes the perennial water reservoirs of the valley that sustain scores of local rivers and streams during the summer months.
IANS
