Night temperatures under free fall in Jammu &Kashmir, Ladakh

Srinagar: Minimum temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh remained under free fall on Sunday as the weather office forecast light to moderate snowfall.

"Light to moderate snowfall is expected in Kargil district of Ladakh and higher reaches of the valley today evening. There is no likelihood of any major snowfall till the end year", an official of the MeT department said.

The ongoing 40-day long period of harsh winter cold known locally as the 'Chillai Kalan' will end on January 31.

A major snowfall is welcome during this period as all the perennial water reservoirs of J&K and Ladakh get replenished during the Chillai Kalan so that these reservoirs can sustain various rivers, streams, springs and lakes during the summer months.

Srinagar had minus 5.2, Pahalgam minus 5.9 and Gulmarg minus 7.2 as the minimum temperatures on Sunday.

Leh town of Ladakh had minus 18.1, Kargil minus 17.8 and Drass minus 22.7 as the night's lowest temperatures.

Jammu city had 4.2, Katra 5.7, Batote 0.7, Bannihal minus 2.6 and Bhaderwah minus 1.8 as the minimum temperature.