Srinagar, Jan 15: The chilly embrace of winter tightened its hold on Kashmir as temperatures plummeted several degrees below freezing last night, according to officials on Monday.
On Sunday night, Srinagar city experienced a bone-chilling minimum temperature of minus 4.3 degrees Celsius, mirroring the previous night’s frigid conditions. Qazigund, another town in the region, recorded a low of minus 4.2 degrees, while the famous Gulmarg ski resort in north Kashmir reported a temperature of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam, serving as a base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.6 degrees Celsius.
Kokernag town and Kupwara witnessed temperatures of minus 2 degrees Celsius and minus 4.1 degrees Celsius, respectively. The dry and relatively snow-free winter in Kashmir has led to freezing nights and unusually warmer days, with daytime temperatures in Srinagar exceeding eight degrees above normal for this time of year, officials noted.
The region is currently under the influence of “Chilla-i-Kalan,” a 40-day severe winter period characterized by a cold wave that sweeps the area, causing a significant drop in temperatures and the freezing of water bodies and pipes. This phase, which extends until January 31, is associated with the highest likelihood of snowfall, especially in the higher elevations.
Despite this, Kashmir has been experiencing an extended dry spell, with a 79% rainfall deficit recorded in December. The first fortnight of January witnessed minimal precipitation, and most plain areas in Kashmir have seen no snowfall, while the upper reaches have received below-average amounts. The meteorological department predicts mainly dry weather until January 21.
Following the conclusion of “Chilla-i-Kalan” on January 31, cold conditions are expected to persist during the subsequent 20-day period known as “Chilla-i-Khurd” (small cold) and the subsequent 10-day phase called “Chilla-i-Bachha” (baby cold). As Kashmir navigates through this winter phase, residents brace themselves for the lingering embrace of a season known for its harshness and freezing temperatures.
