Cold grips Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 6: Kashmir continued to grapple with bone-chilling temperatures with Pahalgam recording a low of minus 11 degrees Celsius and Gulmarg minus 10.5 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, officials said.

The Meteorological Department officials said that Kashmir remained shrouded in an intense cold wave, with minimum temperatures plunging several degrees below the freezing point across various stations in Kashmir.

Pahalgam in south Kashmir experienced particularly frigid conditions, recording a bone-numbing low of minus 11 degrees Celsius.

This made it the coldest spot in Kashmir during the previous night.

Similarly, Gulmarg ski resort in north Kashmir witnessed temperatures dropping to minus 10.5 degrees Celsius, marginally lower than the previous night’s readings of minus 10.0 degrees Celsius.

In the southern areas of Kokernag and Qazigund, the mercury dipped to minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, and minus 2.0 degrees Celsius, the MeT officials here said.

Srinagar did not escape the grip of the cold, recording a low of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, a stark contrast to the previous night’s reading of minus 0.4 degrees Celsius.

The respite was temporary, as the cold wave persisted, underscoring the region's susceptibility to prolonged winter spells even after the conclusion of Chillai Kalan.

Currently, Kashmir finds itself amidst a 20-day Chillai Khurd (small cold), which would be succeeded by a 10-day Chillai Bachha (baby cold).