Srinagar- Night temperatures in Kashmir once again dropped several degrees below the freezing point, while a thick layer of fog engulfed parts of the valley, officials said on Saturday. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.1 degrees Celsius, marking a sharp plunge from the previous night.

Shopian remained the coldest location in Jammu and Kashmir as the mercury settled at minus 6.4 degrees Celsius. The drop in temperature comes just a day after most parts of the valley experienced relief with readings rising above the freezing point.

However, a renewed cold wave gripped Kashmir on Friday night, bringing back harsh winter conditions. Qazigund, the gateway town to the valley, registered a minimum of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded minus 3.5 degrees Celsius and Kokernag in the south witnessed minus 0.2 degrees Celsius.

Tourist destinations also experienced freezing conditions. Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg, the popular ski resort, touched minus 2.6 degrees Celsius. Konibal town in Pulwama district noted a minimum of minus 5.2 degrees Celsius.

According to the meteorological department, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy but mostly dry on December 6 and 7. A brief spell of light snowfall is likely in higher reaches of north and central Kashmir on December 8.

Residents, who had welcomed a short reprieve from the cold, are now bracing for another intense winter spell as temperatures continue to fall.