Srinagar, Jan 9: Despite a brief respite from the bone-chilling cold, coldwave conditions persist in Kashmir with sub-zero temperatures, officials reported on Tuesday.
On Monday, Srinagar experienced a night temperature of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, a slight increase from the previous day’s minus 4.3 degrees, according to officials. Qazigund recorded a low of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg’s night temperature was minus 4.6 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than the previous night.
Pahalgam, a base camp for the Amarnath Yatra, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, up from the previous night’s minus 5.3 degrees. Kokernag settled at minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara recorded minus 4.5 degrees.
Jammu city, Katra, Batote, Bhaderwah, and Banihal experienced minimum temperatures of 5.1, 6, 2.1, 0.6, and zero degrees Celsius, respectively.
Kashmir is currently in the grip of ‘Chilla-i-Kalan,’ the 40-day harshest winter period characterized by a cold wave and a significant drop in temperature. The region faces freezing of water bodies and water supply lines during this period, with higher chances of snowfall, particularly in the elevated areas.
Despite a prolonged dry spell and a 79 percent rainfall deficit in December, there has been no precipitation in the first week of January. Most plain areas of Kashmir have seen no snowfall, and the upper reaches have received less snow than usual. The Meteorological office forecasts mainly dry weather until January 12.
‘Chilla-i-Kalan’ is expected to conclude on January 31. However, cold conditions will persist with a 20-day ‘Chilla-i-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day ‘Chilla-i-Bachha’ (baby cold) following the conclusion of the 40-day period.
