Kashmir Valley remains in grip of cold wave; Pulwama, Shopian shiver at -7.4°C

Our Correspondent

Jammu, January 22

Intense cold wave, accompanied with prolonged dryness, has hit normal life in Jammu and Kashmir, with the locals, especially migrant workers and daily wagers, facing many difficulties.

The cold wave intensified in Kashmir as most places in the Valley recorded sub-zero temperatures. Minimum temperatures of -5.3°C and -4°C were recorded in Jammu and Srinagar, respectively. The minimum temperature plunged 7.4 degrees below the freezing point in Pulwama and Shopian towns.

Freezing nights, warmer-than-usual days

• An official of the Meteorological Department in Srinagar said dry and largely snowless winter in Kashmir had resulted in freezing nights and warmer-than-usual days in the region
• The day temperature in Srinagar was over 8°C above normal for this time of the year. The Valley has been going through a prolonged dry spell this winter season
• A 79 per cent deficit in rainfall was recorded in the area during December 2023, whereas there has been no precipitation in most parts of the Valley in the first three weeks of January

The twin towns in south Kashmir were the coldest places in the Valley. The minimum temperature of Pahalgam was -6.9°C and that of Kupwara was -6°C.

The cold wave also swept the regions of Jammu. The temperature in Banihal was -1.0°C, in Batote was 2.2°C and in Katra was 3°C degrees. The Qazigund town in south Kashmir recorded a temperature of -5.2°C Celsius and the ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded -4°C temperature.

An official of the Meteorology Department in Srinagar said dry and largely snowless winter in Kashmir had resulted in freezing nights and warmer than usual days. The day temperature in Srinagar was over 8°C above the normal temperature for this time of the year.

Kashmir has been going through a prolonged dry spell. A 79 per cent deficit in rainfall has been recorded for December, whereas there has been no precipitation in most parts of the Valley in the first three weeks of January.

There has been no snowfall in most plain areas of Kashmir, while the upper reaches of the Valley have received lesser than usual amount of snow.

The weather office, however, has forecast the possibility of light snowfall at some places in the Valley from January 25 to 31.

Kashmir is currently in the grip of ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, a 40-day harsh winter period, when a cold wave sweeps the region and temperatures drop considerably, leading to the freezing of water bodies as well as water in pipes.

The chances of snowfall are the highest during this period and most areas, particularly the higher, reaches receive heavy snowfall. ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, or the intense cold conditions, will end on January 31.

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