Cold intensifies in Kashmir, Ladakh as ‘Chillai Kalan’ nears end

Srinagar, Jan 27: As “Chillai Kalan”, the coldest 40-day period in Kashmir, nears its end, the valley continues to grapple with severe cold wave conditions even as Srinagar shivered at minus 5.5 degrees Celsius. The harsh winter weather has intensified over the past week, with temperatures across Kashmir and Ladakh plunging to record lows.

The return of freezing temperatures has been exacerbated by clear skies and an absence of precipitation, contributing to an even more intense cold wave.

On Monday, Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, marking a significant drop as the cold wave shows no signs of abating. The city and other parts of the valley have been battling severe cold conditions for several weeks now, with the night-time temperatures continuing to dip below freezing, intensifying the chill. South Kashmir remains one of the coldest pockets in the entire Kashmir division, with certain areas recording some of the lowest temperatures in the region.

In Khudwani, temperatures plummeted to minus 6.5 degrees Celsius, while the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam saw the mercury drop to minus 6.4 degrees Celsius. Nearby Shopian district recorded a minimum of minus 6.1 degrees Celsius, reflecting the widespread severity of the cold wave in the southern part of the Valley.

In North Kashmir, ski resort of Gulmarg, situated in Baramulla district, also experienced bone-chilling temperatures, with the minimum temperature dropping to minus 5.2 degrees Celsius.

Sonamarg, recorded a minimum of minus 6.6 degrees Celsius. Other areas in valley such as Bandipora (4.7 degrees Celsius) and Baramulla (minus 3.6 degrees Celsius), also saw significant drop in temperatures.

The extreme cold wave has extended into the high-altitude areas of Ladakh, where the weather conditions are even more severe. The town of Leh recorded a minimum temperature of minus 11.7 degrees Celsius, while Kargil was even colder at minus 14.3 degrees Celsius.

Drass, recorded a chilling minus 22.5 degrees Celsius, while Zojila Pass, located at an elevation of over 11,000 feet, remains the coldest place in North India, with temperatures dipping to minus 24 degrees Celsius. According to the Meteorological Department, Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing the effects of a La Niña phenomenon, characterised by cooler-than-usual sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific.

This weather pattern typically leads to a disruption in global wind circulation, resulting in harsher winter conditions for the region, including more frequent snowfall and colder temperatures. The MeT Department has forecasted that the current cold wave will persist for the coming days. While temperatures are expected to remain low for the next 24 hours, with further dips in the mercury, the weather will stay dry until January 29. However, there are expectations of widespread snowfall and rain from January 31 across various parts of Valley and Ladakh, signaling the continuation of harsh winter conditions.

With the onset of Chillai Khurd (the 20-day period following Chillai Kalan) from January 31, the temperatures are expected to remain particularly low, prolonging the harsh winter phase. The La Niña effect, combined with clear skies, has resulted in prolonged sub-zero temperatures in many areas, creating a tough environment for locals, tourists, and businesses alike.