Chill grips Kashmir, Ladakh

Srinagar/ Ramban, Dec 9: After fresh snowfall in the higher reaches of Kashmir, the Valley continues to reel under a severe cold wave, with night temperatures plummeting significantly.

Gulmarg ski resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded a bone-chilling low of minus 9 degrees Celsius on Monday, making it one of the coldest nights of the season so far, officials here said.

In Srinagar, the mercury dropped to minus 3.3 degrees Celsius, a sharp decline from Sunday’s minus 0.5 degrees Celsius.

The residents experienced a biting cold as there was a formation of thick frost on vehicles and rooftops.

Pahalgam health resort in south Kashmir recorded a temperature drop to minus 6.8 degrees Celsius from minus 2.8 degrees Celsius recorded the previous night.

This marked a deviation of 4 degrees Celsius below normal for the region.

Qazigund, the gateway to Kashmir, recorded minus 5.2 degrees Celsius, 4.5 degrees Celsius below the normal seasonal temperature.

Kokernag, in south Kashmir, reported a steep drop, with temperatures plunging to minus 4.4 degrees Celsius from the previous night’s 0.4 degrees Celsius, making it 3.8 degrees Celsius below normal for this time of the year.

Kupwara, in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius against Sunday’s 0.4 degrees Celsius.

The frontier district’s temperature was 2.6 degrees Celsius below normal.

Extreme cold was also reported in other parts of Ladakh.

Zojila on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway saw temperatures plummet to minus 20 degrees Celsius, while Sonamarg froze at minus 7 degrees Celsius.

According to an independent weather observer with Kashmir Weather, Faizan Arif, other areas recorded similarly frigid temperatures: Larnoo at minus 7.9 degrees Celsius, Shopian at minus 7.7 degrees Celsius, Anantnag at minus 7 degrees Celsius, and Pulwama at minus 6.7 degrees Celsius.

The Meteorological Department (MeT) has predicted dry weather till December 10.

On December 11, higher reaches in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district and north Kashmir’s Bandipora district may witness a minor snow spell.

Another weak Western Disturbance is expected to hit J&K on December 12, which could result in light rain or snow in isolated areas.

The MeT office further forecasts predominantly dry weather across Kashmir till December 17.

The upper reaches and plain areas of the Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts of Chenab Valley have also been under the grip of a cold wave for the last few days.

Night temperature in the region witnessed a drop of several degrees at various places in Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Doda while the upper reaches like Paddar Marwah, Deachhan, Marwah Wadwan in Kishtwar, Kashtigarh, Bhaderwah, Marmat in Doda and Mahu, Mangit, Pogal Paristan, Neel, Banihal Rajgarh in Ramban area also in a grip of cold.

All these areas are experiencing the coldest nights of the season so far as the mercury is dropping considerably after each night.

The MeT has not forecasted rain or snowfall in the region yet.