Cold wave intensifies in Kashmir, Srinagar freezes at minus 5.5

Srinagar, Dec 16: Kashmir continues to reel in sub-zero night temperatures with Srinagar recording the coldest night of the season so far at minus 5.5 degrees Celsius on Thursday night.
The Meteorological Department has predicted the cold and dry weather to continue till the 25th of December, officials said.
The sub-zero temperatures for the last two weeks have been leading to the freezing of water bodies including parts of Dal Lake and water supply lines.
Director MeT Kashmir, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that they were expecting dry weather till 25th December. In the next few days, there will more dip in temperatures across the region, he said.
“We are expecting light snow over isolated places during 26th December over higher reaches. It will be followed by another spell of rain, snow over isolated places of Kashmir, Jammu during 29th and 30th December,” he said.
Lotus said the improvement in minimum temperature from 26th December till ending December.
Meanwhile, the ski-resort Gulmarg in Baramulla continued to witness freezing temperatures and recorded minus 5.2 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag town registered a low of minus 3.3 degrees Celsius. Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded minus 5.1 degrees Celsius.
Jammu recorded a low of 7.5°C, Banihal recorded a low of minus 1.2°C. Batote 1.1°C, Katra 5.6°C and Bhadarwah minus 0.9°C.
In Ladakh, Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 12.0°C and 12.8 °C respectively.
The 40 days of Chillai Kalan are followed by 20 days of Chillai Khurd, which translates to small cold, and 10 days of Chille Bach (literally, baby cold). This year, minimum temperatures plummeted to minus 5.5 Celsius in Srinagar on Dec 22.
The snow that falls during this time period freezes and lasts longer. It is this snow that adds to the glaciers of the Valley and replenishes the perennial reservoirs that feed the rivers, streams, and lakes in Kashmir during the months of summer. Any snowfall after the Chillai-Kalan does not last long.
The cold wave has resulted in the freezing of some water bodies, including the fringes of the famous Dal and Nigeen Lakes, and residential water supply pipes in many areas of the city and other towns of the Valley.
As per the traffic advisory, there will be two-way traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu highway for Friday, “Subject to fair weather better road condition, LMVs (Passenger) shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. TCU Jammu/Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic,” it said.
Similarly on Mughal road, LMVs from both sides and HMVs (upto twelve tyres) from Srinagar towards Poonch shall be allowed on Mughal road. LMVs from Behramgalla 0800 hrs upto 1500 hrs., from Herpora 0800 hrs upto 1600 hrs & HMVs from Herpora 0900 hrs. upto 1500 hrs, the advisory said.
On the Srinagar-Leh highway, the vehicular movement shall be allowed from Kargil towards Srinagar, the official said adding that it will be followed by HMVs. No vehicle will be allowed after cut-off timings, it said.