Jammu: Residents in Jammu got some respite from biting cold today as the minimum temperature increased slightly.

The minimum temperature in the city rose by 2.6 notches to settle at 7.7 degrees Celsius against the previous night’s 5.1 degrees Celsius, which was the lowest of the season so far, a spokesman of the Meteorological (MeT) department said.

The night temperature was on decline in Jammu since December 13. Heavy snowfall in the high altitude areas and incessant rains in the plains were recorded between December 11 and 14.

The maximum temperature also marked a sharp drop with the city recording the season’s lowest day temperature of 14.3 degrees Celsius on December 11.

However, the maximum temperature increased yesterday with mercury reaching 22.4 degrees Celsius.

Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi Shrine, in Reasi district continued to be warmer than Jammu city with minimum temperature settling at 9.5 degrees Celsius against the previous night’s 7.2 degrees Celsius, the spokesman said.

However, the snow-covered Banihal, the highway town along Jammu-Srinagar national highway, continued to be the coldest recorded place in the region.

The town recorded a dip of almost two degrees in the night temperature which settled at minus 0.2 degrees Celsius, the spokesman added.

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