Day temperatures rise in Kashmir Valley

India Gazette (IANS) Thursday 9th February, 2012

The rise in day temperatures has brought relief to the Kashmir Valley though the night remained below the freezing point, an official said.

The maximum temperature was 11.2 degrees Celsius Wednesday, four degrees above normal in Srinagar. Wednesday night was a different story.

The temperature fell at night to minus 2.1 degrees in Srinagar. It was minus 11 degrees in Pahalgam, minus 11.5 degrees in Gulmarg, minus 16.4 degrees in Leh and minus 16 degrees Celsius in Kargil town.

"The improvement in the day temperatures has brought relief," Sonam Lotus, director of the weather office, told IANS.

Meanwhile, the Dal Lake here that was frozen at many places for nearly a month returned to normal. The Shikarawallahs were overjoyed.

"The lake is our livelihood and we have again started rowing our boats," said a boatman here.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan visited the valley Thursday and went around the Dal Lake in a Shikara to see the floating vegetable gardens.