Kashmir in grip of cold wave condition, mercury remains below freezing point

Srinagar, Jan 14: Kashmir continues to reel under an intense cold wave, with minimum temperatures staying several degrees below the freezing point, Meteorological Department officials said. The valley is expected to experience mostly dry weather over the next few days, with a possibility of light snow at isolated places in the higher reaches on January 15 and 16.

In Srinagar, the minimum temperature rose slightly to minus 4.1 degrees Celsius on Monday night, compared to minus 5.1 degrees Celsius the previous night. North Kashmir's ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, marginally up from minus 6.5 degrees Celsius the night before.

In south Kashmir, Pahalgam—a base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra—saw the mercury dip to minus 7.8 degrees Celsius, down from minus 8.4 degrees Celsius the previous night. Other areas also recorded severe cold, with Qazigund at minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, Konibal in Pampore at minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, Kupwara at minus 4.7 degrees Celsius, and Kokernag at minus 3.4 degrees Celsius.

The valley is currently in the midst of ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ the harshest 40-day winter period that began on December 21. This phase is known for its frequent snowfall and plummeting temperatures. ‘Chillai-Kalan’ will conclude on January 30, followed by a milder 20-day phase known as ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day phase called ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).