Cold wave grips J&K, Drass at minus 17.3

Srinagar, Dec 23 Icy cold winds blowing from the snow-clad mountains brought down the temperatures to minus 17.3 in Drass town on Sunday as the cold wave intensified in the Kashmir Valley.

There will no relief from the intense weather for the next five days, the Met said.

The Kashmir Valley is passing through the 40-day long period of harsh winter 'Chillai Kalan' which will end on January 30.

Srinagar recorded minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam minus 6.7 and Gulmarg minus 5.5.

Drass in Kargil district was the coldest place, while Leh recorded minus 14.3 and Kargil minus 14.5 degrees Celsius.

Jammu city was at 6.7, Katra 6, Batote 1.5, Bannihal minus 0.9 and Bhaderwah was at 0.1.