Cold wave continues in Kashmir Valley, forecast of rain, snow

Srinagar, Jan 10 (IANS) Cold wave conditions continued in the Kashmir Valley on Thursday as the weather office has forecast a fresh spell of rain and snow beginning in the evening. "A western disturbance (WD) is approaching Jammu and Kashmir. Under its influence, another spell of intermittent rain and snow is likely from today evening till January 13," an official of the MET Department said. Even as the minimum temperature improved on Thursday to minus 0.3 degrees Celsius from Wednesday's minus 3, there was little relief from the intense cold wave sweeping the valley, according to the official. Pahalgam recorded minus 11.4 degrees Celsius and Gulmarg minus 8.5 as the minimum temperatures, while Leh town had minus 15.0 and Kargil minus 18.2. Jammu and Katra both recorded 5.7 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature while Batote had 0.5, Bannihal 1.9 and Bhaderwah minus 0.9 as the night's lowest temperatures.