Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have issued a high danger avalanche warning for the hilly areas of the Valley for the next 24 hours.
An official spokesman said that the warning has been issued for avalanche-prone slopes of Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kulgam and Budgam and Kargil district of Kashmir division.
Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir division, including Leh and Kargil, have been asked to take precautionary measures in their districts and advised people not to venture in avalanche-prone areas.
People have also been asked to keep clearing snow deposits from roof tops of their houses and bunkers to avoid any damage.
Twenty one people, including 15 army soldiers, died in snow-triggered tragedies, including avalanches, roof collapses etc since Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir.
The weather office said the minimum temperature on Saturday here was 0.8 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam and Gulmarg recorded minus 0.1 and minus 6.6, respectively, while Leh recorded minus 10.1 degrees Celsius.
Jammu city was at 8.6, Katra at 7.6, Batote at 4.2, Bannihal at 0.5 and Bhaderwah at minus 0.3 degrees Celsius, an official of the MET department said.
The 40-day long period of harsh winter called the 'Chillai Kalan' that started on December 21 will end on January 30.
