Srinagar, December 19: Overnight, the Kashmir Valley experienced a significant dip in temperatures, plunging several degrees below freezing point and causing discomfort for residents, according to officials on Tuesday.
On Monday night, Srinagar city, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.7 degrees Celsius. This marked a substantial drop of 4.2 degrees from the previous night’s temperature of 0.5 degrees Celsius, as reported by officials. Meanwhile, the renowned ski resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla district recorded a low of minus 6.6 degrees Celsius, which was 1.4 degrees higher than the previous night’s temperature of minus 8 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam, located in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district and serving as a base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, experienced a minimum temperature of minus 6.9 degrees Celsius. This reflected a decrease of more than one degree compared to the previous night’s temperature of minus 5.8 degrees Celsius, according to officials. Qazigund recorded a low of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, contrasting with the 0.8 degrees Celsius recorded the night before. Additionally, Kokernag town saw the mercury settle at minus 3.1 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara recorded a low of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, compared to the minus 2.2 degrees Celsius recorded 24 hours earlier.
The weather office has forecast generally dry weather in the valley over the next few days. The abrupt temperature drop has resulted in the freezing of several slow-moving water bodies, as well as water supply pipes in some areas. This has led to an increase in respiratory problems among children and the elderly. With erratic electricity supply in many areas of Kashmir, residents have turned to the use of Kangri, an earthen firepot, to combat the chilling temperatures.
