Kashmir battles severe cold wave, Srinagar chills at -5.2°C

Kashmir found itself in the tight grip of a severe cold wave on Monday.

Despite the absence of snowfall in most plain areas and a lesser-than-usual amount of snow in the upper reaches by the end of December, the cold wave has intensified, causing the minimum temperatures to plummet two to three degrees below freezing point.

The Meteorological Department officials here said that the clear skies played a role in exacerbating the cold conditions, leading to a further drop in minimum temperatures across various parts, including Srinagar.

The MeT has predicted mainly dry weather till January 3.

“From January 4 to 5, generally cloudy and dry weather is expected. Overall no significant weather activity is expected till January 5,” the MeT officials said.

They said that the minimum temperature in Srinagar fell to minus 5.2 degrees Celsius from the previous night’s minus 3.4 degrees Celsius.

The MeT officials said that the Gulmarg ski resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius against minus 3.5 degrees Celsius the previous night and the temperature was 3.5 degrees Celsius above normal at the resort.

They said that Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.7 degrees Celsius, a significant drop from the previous night’s minus 3.4 degrees Celsius.

The MeT officials said that other areas also experienced a notable decrease in temperature with Qazigund recording a low of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, Kokernag town settling at minus 1.7 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara registering a minimum of minus 4.5 degrees Celsius.

They said that Jammu recorded a minimum of 7.3 degrees Celsius against 8.3 degrees Celsius the previous night.

Currently, Kashmir is amid Chillai Kalan, a 40-day period marked by the harshest winter conditions.

During this time, a cold wave grips the region, causing a considerable drop in temperature, leading to the freezing of water bodies, including the Dal Lake, and water supply lines in various parts of Kashmir.

The Chillai Kalan starts on December 21 and ends on January 29.

However, cold conditions continue to persist afterwards with a 20-day-long Chillai Khurd and a subsequent 10-day-long Chillai Bachha.

The residents are bracing themselves for the extended duration of chilly weather and the possibility of continued snowfall in the higher reaches during these periods.