Jammu and Kashmir continue to grapple with severe cold conditions, as Srinagar recorded a bone-chilling low of minus 3.8°C, while Jammu experienced the season’s lowest temperature on Thursday.
The persistent sub-zero temperatures led to the freezing of several water bodies overnight, including the iconic Dal Lake. A delicate layer of ice covered the surface of Dal Lake, presenting challenges for residents living in houseboats as they navigated their way through the frozen waters towards the banks. Water supply pipes in many areas of Kashmir have succumbed to the extreme cold wave, freezing and disrupting regular supply.
Pahalgam, a significant base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, situated in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.1 degrees Celsius, a slight increase from the previous night’s minus 6.6 degrees Celsius.
In the north, the renowned skiing resort of Gulmarg reported a low of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, contributing to the overall frigid conditions in the region.
Qazigund registered a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag town settled at minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara recorded a minimum of minus 3.9 degrees Celsius. Jammu, the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 4.7°C, marking a notable drop from the previous night’s 7.0°C and standing below the seasonal average by 2.6°C.
Banihal, Batote, and Bhaderwah experienced their own chilly lows, recording temperatures of minus 0.4°C, 3.1°C, and 1.1°C, respectively.
Despite the harsh conditions, Kashmir has been enduring a prolonged dry spell, with no precipitation expected in the coming days. The officials noted that the region faced a rainfall deficit of 79% in December.
Most plain areas in Kashmir have witnessed minimal to no snowfall, contributing to lower-than-usual snow cover in the upper reaches by the end of December. The absence of cloud cover has further intensified the cold, leading to a continual drop in minimum temperatures, particularly in Srinagar.
The region is currently in the grip of ‘Chilla-i-Kalan,’ the 40-day harshest winter period characterized by a widespread cold wave, freezing water bodies, and the likelihood of heavy snowfall, especially in the higher elevations.