Srinagar, Dec 8 (PTI) Leh in Ladakh region of Jammu andKashmir was the coldest recorded place in the state as thenight temperature there remained several degrees below thefreezing point even as the Valley braced for possible heavysnowfall next week.
The Meteorological Department has said a westerndisturbance would affect the state next week and warned ofheavy rains and snowfall.
The night temperatures across all stations in Kashmirvalley, except at Gulmarg, and Ladakh region decreased lastnight, an official of the MET department said here.
He said Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3 degreesCelsius last night, down from minus 2.7 degrees Celsius theprevious night.
The official said the mercury in Qazigund in southKashmir settled at a low of minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, downover a degree from minus 1.4 degrees Celsius the previousnight.
He said Kokernag town recorded a low of zero degreesCelsius down from 1.3 degrees Celsius yesterday.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a low of minus3.3 degrees Celsius, down from the previous night's minus2.7 degrees Celsius, the official said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsiusslightly up from previous night's minus 2.5 degrees Celsius.
The resort was the only place in Kashmir division wherethe night temperature marked an increase last night.
He said Pahalgam registered a minimum of minus 4.5degrees Celsius, a decrease of over three degrees from theprevious night's minus 1.3 degrees Celsius.
Leh, in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded theminimum temperature of minus 12.3 degrees Celsius last nightcompared to minus 12 degrees Celsius the previous night, theofficial said, adding Leh was the coldest recorded place inthe state.
He said the nearby Kargil town recorded a low of minus7.2 degrees Celsius as against the previous night's minus 7degrees Celsius.
The MET office has said while the weather is likely toremain dry in the valley till December 10, a fresh WesternDisturbance is most likely to affect the state from 11 to 15December with moisture feeding taking place from the ArabianSea.
Under the influence of this system, moderate to heavyrain or snow is expected at widespread places of Jammu,Kashmir and Ladakh region.
The main activity of this system (moderate to heavyrainfall or snowfall) is likely to occur during 12-13 Decemberand gradual decrease thereafter, the official said.
He said this would be the first major wet spell duringthe current season for the state.
The official said the weather system may lead todisruption of surface and air transport and there would besignificant fall in the day temperature and slight rise innight temperature.
The Divisional Administration Kashmir has issued aweather advisory and asked all the Deputy Commissioners ofKashmir Division to take all the precautionary measures intheir respective districts.
It is enjoined upon all Deputy Commissioners, all head ofdepartments and district superintendents of police to activatemanpower and machinery and to be in a state of preparedness,so as to minimize disruption of essential services, roadconnectivity at the earliest, restoring electric supply, watersupply, healthcare services etc, reads the advisory issued bydivisional commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Khan.
Khan has also ordered closure of the Sonamarg-Gumri road(Zojila Pass), which connects Kashmir Valley with the Ladakhregion, from 10 December for all types of traffic untilfurther notice.
The decision has been taken in view of the expectedsnowfall and slippery road conditions.PTI SSB MIJDV.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.