Temperatures dip below 0°C across Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 20: A day ahead of Chillai Kalan, temperatures across Kashmir plummeted below freezing, intensifying cold wave conditions.

Srinagar experienced its coldest night of the season, recording a minimum temperature of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, officials said on Friday.

This was a slight drop from the previous night’s minus 6 degrees Celsius and 4.2 degrees Celsius below the season’s average.

The biting cold caused water supply lines to freeze in many areas, along with the fringes of water bodies, including the Dal Lake.

The prolonged dry spell has also worsened ailments like cough and the common cold, officials said.

In south Kashmir, Pahalgam health resort recorded a low of minus 8.2 degrees Celsius, down from minus 6.8 degrees Celsius the previous night.

Gulmarg ski resort recorded a minimum temperature of minus 6 degrees Celsius.

The coldest spot in Kashmir was Konibal, near Pampore, which recorded a bone-chilling minus 9.2 degrees Celsius.

Other areas also recorded sub-zero temperatures with Qazigund registering minus 7.6 degrees Celsius, Kokernag minus 5.8 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara in north Kashmir minus 6.5 degrees Celsius.

The Meteorological Department has predicted mainly dry weather until December 26, with the possibility of light snowfall in higher reaches on Saturday night.

A similar light snowfall is expected between December 27 and 28.

However, temperatures are likely to dip further, with isolated cold waves persisting in the coming days.

In south Kashmir, Pulwama recorded minus 9.5 degrees Celsius, Anantnag minus 9.9 degrees Celsius, Shopian minus 10 degrees Celsius, and Larnoo minus 9.1 degrees Celsius.

Other areas like Khudwani and Kulgam reported minus 8.5 degrees Celsius and minus 6.8 degrees Celsius.

In north Kashmir, Bandipora recorded minus 7.3 degrees Celsius and Baramulla minus 5.9 degrees Celsius.

Central Kashmir’s Budgam and Ganderbal districts registered minus 7.6 degrees Celsius and minus 6.4 degrees Celsius, while Sonamarg recorded minus 9 degrees Celsius.

Zojila Pass, connecting Kashmir to Ladakh, stood out as the coldest spot, with a staggering minus 24 degrees Celsius.

Jammu recorded a minimum temperature of 6.9 degrees Celsius.

Other areas in the region also experienced cold nights with Banihal recording minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, Batote 1 degree Celsius, Katra 6 degrees Celsius, Bhaderwah minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, and Poonch 1.2 degrees Celsius.

Rajouri, Samba, Kathua, and Reasi recorded minimums of 0.3 degrees Celsius, 2.1 degrees Celsius, 6.6 degrees Celsius, and 2.4 degrees Celsius.

In Ladakh, Leh recorded minus 11.8 degrees Celsius while Kargil reported an even colder minus 13.8 degrees Celsius.