Kashmir endures bone-chilling freeze

Srinagar, Dec 26: Severe cold weather continues to grip Kashmir with minimum temperatures plummeting across the Valley while the Meteorological Department predicted precipitation on Saturday.

Officials said that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 7 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, slightly warmer than the previous night’s minus 7.3 degrees Celsius.

Gulmarg, known for its skiing activities, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 6 degrees Celsius, up from minus 6.6 degrees Celsius the previous night.

Pahalgam health resort registered minus 8.6 degrees Celsius, slightly colder than the previous night’s minus 8.4 degrees Celsius.

Qazigund logged minus 7.0 degrees Celsius while Konibal, a hamlet in the Pampore area, registered minus 9 degrees Celsius. Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 6.7 degrees Celsius and Kokernag in south Kashmir registered minus 5.5 degrees Celsius.

The Zojila Pass, connecting Kashmir with Ladakh, saw the mercury plunge to a staggering minus 25 degrees Celsius.

South Kashmir districts, including Pulwama, Shopian, and Anantnag recorded a freezing minus 9.3 degrees Celsius.

The Jammu region, while experiencing relatively milder conditions, still saw significant dips in temperatures.

Jammu city recorded a minimum of 6.6 degrees Celsius, while Banihal and Bhaderwah dropped to 0.7 degrees Celsius and minus 1.1 degrees Celsius.

Katra recorded 8 degrees Celsius whereas Padder in Kishtwar district experienced frigid conditions at minus 7.7 degrees Celsius.

In Ladakh, Leh and Kargil recorded bitterly cold temperatures of minus 12.2 degrees Celsius and minus 12.7 degrees Celsius.

The ongoing severe cold has disrupted daily life with people facing frozen water pipes and icy roads that make travel hazardous.

The rise in cold-related illnesses has also strained healthcare facilities.

MeT officials said that the active Western Disturbance would impact Jammu and Kashmir from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon.

Light snowfall is expected over the higher reaches during this period, particularly late Friday afternoon to Saturday forenoon.

While the weather is likely to remain dry on December 29, 30, and 31, light snowfall is possible at isolated places in Kashmir between January 1 and 4.

Kashmir is currently under the grip of ‘Chillai Kalan,’ the harshest 40-day winter period that began on December 21.