Intense cold grips J&K, dry weather forecast ahead

Srinagar, Jan 12: Jammu and Kashmir continued to reel under intense cold on Sunday as the gap between maximum and minimum temperatures narrowed.

The Meteorological Department (MeT) predicted cold and dry weather for the next 24 hours across J&K.

In Srinagar, the maximum temperature on Saturday was recorded at 5.8 degrees Celsius, while the minimum dropped to minus 3 degrees on Sunday. Gulmarg recorded a maximum of 2.4 degrees on Saturday, with the mercury plunging to minus 5.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday.

Similarly, Pahalgam saw a maximum of 4.8 degrees Celsius, while the minimum touched minus 6.2 degrees.

In the Jammu region, minimum temperatures included 10.5 degrees Celsius in Jammu City, 8.4 degrees Celsius in Katra, 4.6 degrees Celsius in Batote, 0.7 degrees Celsius in Banihal, and 2.5 degrees Celsius in Bhaderwah.

The MeT office forecast for the coming days indicates generally cloudy weather on January 12, with an improvement expected later in the day.

Clear and dry conditions are likely on January 13, while January 14 is expected to see cloudy but dry weather. Light snowfall may occur in isolated higher reaches on January 15 and 16, with cloudy conditions continuing on January 17 and 18.

Doctors have cautioned vulnerable groups like children and the elderly to minimise exposure to the extreme cold.

Prolonged exposure can lead to hypothermia, which causes the constriction of blood vessels and increases the risk of heart attacks and heart failure.