Sunshine returns, cold holds

Srinagar, Jan 28: After a nearly 48-hour wet spell, the sun made brief appearances in several parts of Kashmir on Wednesday, even as meteorologists forecast generally cloudy weather from January 29.

The summer capital, Srinagar, remained largely cloudy, with intermittent spells of sunshine.

ìAmid cloudy conditions, the sun made brief appearances during the day, while cold winds continued to blow,î said Muhammad Lateef, a shopkeeper from Dalgate.

Several areas in north and south Kashmir witnessed sunshine following fresh snowfall.

The plains of Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora experienced dry weather with spells of sunshine, residents said, while Budgam and Ganderbal in central Kashmir also saw sunshine during the day.

In south Kashmirís Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag, and Kulgam districts, the sun shone brightly for most of the day after light to moderate snowfall in the plains and heavy snowfall in higher reaches.

ìIt was a bright sunny day here, but there seems to be no let-up in the cold conditions,î said Irshad Ahmad Bhat of Shopianís Hergam area.

Due to a series of recent Western Disturbances, several higher reaches of Kashmir remain under deep snow cover.

Peer Ki Gali, Margan Top, and Sadhna Top have accumulated over 8 feet of snow, while Sinthan Top has received around 7 to 8 feet.

Doodhpathri and Yusmarg are buried under 5 to 6 feet of snow, while Dubjan in Heerpora, Aharbal and Chiranbal recorded between 5 and 6 feet.

D K Marg has around 4 feet of snow, while lower elevations, including Shopian town, Kund in Kulgam, Sonamarg, and Gulmarg, reported snow depths ranging between 2 and 4 feet.

Pahalgam has accumulated around 2 to 3 feet of snow.

The Meteorological Centre Srinagar forecasts generally dry weather from January 29 to 31, though skies are expected to remain mostly cloudy towards the evening of January 31.

From February 1 to 2, weather conditions are likely to become generally cloudy, with light to moderate rain and snowfall scattered to fairly widespread.

Partly cloudy conditions are expected to prevail from February 3 to 6.