Kashmir in grip of severe cold

Srinagar, Dec 4: Kashmir is in the grip of a severe cold wave, with night temperatures plunging across the Valley.

Srinagar, recorded a biting minus 2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday night, 0.8 degrees Celsius below the average for this time of the year.

This marked one of the coldest nights of the season so far.

Tourist destinations including Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Konibal reported even harsher conditions.

Pahalgam experienced a bone-chilling minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest location in Kashmir.

This was a significant drop from the previous night’s minus 3.3 degrees Celsius and was 1.5 degrees Celsius below the seasonal average.

The Gulmarg ski resort recorded minus 3.5 degrees Celsius, down from minus 2.4 degrees Celsius the previous night, which is 0.4 degrees Celsius below normal for early December.

Konibal in south Kashmir registered a low of minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, further emphasising the harsh winter conditions sweeping the Valley.

Other areas also saw significant dips in temperatures.

Qazigund, often referred to as the gateway to Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of 2.2 degrees Celsius, a sharp fall from the previous night’s 0.5 degrees Celsius, which was 1 degree Celsius below the norm for this time of the year.

Kupwara, in north Kashmir, recorded minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, which, despite the drop, was still 0.5 degrees Celsius above the average for December.

Kokernag in south Kashmir showed a slight improvement in temperatures, with the mercury rising to 0.4 degrees Celsius from the previous night’s minus 0.2 degrees Celsius, registering 1 degrees Celsius above normal for the region.

According to the Meteorological Department, the weather is expected to remain dry across Jammu and Kashmir until December 7.

However, a weak Western Disturbance (WD) is likely to affect the region between December 8 and December 9, potentially bringing light rain and snowfall to isolated higher reaches.

“Overall, no significant weather activity is expected till December 14,” said an official from the MeT Department.