Cold wave intensifies in J&K as Chilai Kalan nears
Srinagar, Dec 13: Cold conditions continued across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday as night temperatures plunged well below freezing, intensifying winter hardships and disrupting daily life in several parts of the valley.
Pulwama recorded the lowest temperature among inhabited areas at minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Shopian at minus 3.7 degrees Celsius, indicating a sustained cold wave across south Kashmir.
Srinagar registered a minimum temperature of minus 2.9 degrees Celsius, while its outskirts were colder.
Srinagar airport recorded minus 4 degrees Celsius.
Other readings included Qazigund at minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, Pampore at minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, Budgam at minus 3.1 degrees Celsius, and Awantipora at minus 3.6 degrees Celsius.
In north Kashmir, Baramulla recorded minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, Bandipora minus 2.1 degrees Celsius, Kupwara minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, and Zethan Rafiabad minus 3.1 degrees Celsius.
Tourist destinations experienced relatively milder colds.
Pahalgam recorded minus 2.8 degrees Celsius, Sonamarg minus 0.3 degrees Celsius, and ski resort Gulmarg stood at 1.6 degrees Celsius.
Kokernag and Kulgam recorded marginally above-freezing temperatures at 0.1 degrees Celsius, while Ganderbal recorded minus 1.8 degrees Celsius.
In higher reaches, Zojila Pass remained frozen at a severe minus 17 degrees Celsius.
The Jammu region witnessed comparatively milder weather.
Jammu city recorded a minimum temperature of 10.3 degrees Celsius, while Jammu airport was slightly warmer at 10.9 degrees Celsius.
Katra recorded 10.2 degrees Celsius. Kathua, Batote, and Reasi recorded 8 degrees Celsius each.
In hilly districts, Bhaderwah recorded 3.6 degrees Celsius, Udhampur 3.4 degrees Celsius, Rajouri 3.8 degrees Celsius, and Banihal 3.8 degrees Celsius.
The 40-day-long Chilai Kalan, the harshest phase of winter in Kashmir, is only a week away. The period is marked by intense cold and a higher likelihood of snowfall.
The Meteorological Department has forecast light snow at isolated higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir from December 13 to 17.
An official said weather conditions are expected to remain partly cloudy on December 12, while from December 13 to 17, there is a possibility of partly to generally cloudy weather, with very light snow over isolated higher reaches of north and central Kashmir during late night and early morning hours.
From December 18 to 19, weather conditions are likely to remain partly to generally cloudy, the official said.
From December 20 to 21, generally cloudy conditions are expected toward evening, with the possibility of light rain and snow at scattered places in the Kashmir division and isolated places in the Jammu division.
Weather is expected to remain partly cloudy from December 22 to 25, the official said.
Meanwhile, shallow to moderate fog is likely to continue at many places in the Kashmir division and at isolated locations in the Jammu division.
