Srinagar plummets to minus 8.5°C, coldest winter in 24 years
Residents face power outages & frozen water supply
Icy roads & freezing conditions wreak havoc across Kashmir Valley
Srinagar, Dec 21: Kashmir has experienced a bitterly cold start to Chillai-Kalan, the harshest phase of the winter, as temperatures in Srinagar plummeted to a bone-chilling minus 8.5°C, marking the coldest night in the summer capital in the past 24 years.
According to the Meteorological Department (MeT) records, Srinagar recorded minus 8.5°C on Saturday, the lowest December temperature since 2000. The previous significant drop occurred in 2018, when the mercury dipped to minus 7.7°C. The all-time coldest December temperature in the region was recorded on December 13, 1934, when it reached minus 12.8°C.
The temperature of minus 8.5°C recorded on December 21, 2024, is now the second-lowest December temperature in Srinagar’s history, following the record set in 1934. Other notable cold spells was recorded minus 7.9°C on December 31, 1986, and minus 7.7°C on December 18, 2018.
The onset of Chillai-Kalan on December 21 marks the beginning of Kashmir’s harshest winter period, which lasts for 40 days until January 31. This is followed by Chillai-Khurd, a milder 20-day period from January 31 to February 19, and Chillai-Bachha, a 10-day stretch of lighter cold from February 20 to March 2.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department, told Rising Kashmir that the current temperature is the lowest recorded since 1990. “Earlier, the lowest temperature recorded was minus 8.5°C, the lowest since 2000. The record for the coldest temperature remains minus 12.8°C in 1934,” Dr. Ahmad added.
He further highlighted that there have been 17 occasions in the past 38 years when temperatures in Srinagar dropped to minus 8°C or lower, with 1991 standing as the coldest and harshest winter so far.
The weather will remain generally cloudy with light snow in some higher reaches of north Kashmir until December 22. From December 23 to 26, the weather is expected to be dry, followed by cloudy conditions with light rain or snow in the higher reaches on December 27 and 28.
Dr. Ahmad noted that the minimum temperature is expected to rise slightly by 2°C over the next two days before dropping by 2-3°C again until December 26. He also cautioned about ongoing cold wave conditions and sub-freezing temperatures leading to icy roads, particularly in important passes and higher reaches.
The bone-chilling cold has led to the freezing of several water bodies, including the fringes of Dal and Nigeen Lakes, and disrupted water supply lines in many areas of Srinagar and other towns in the Valley. The freezing temperatures have also caused diesel vehicles to jam, delaying commutes.
Residents have been relying on traditional heating methods, such as wood-fired bukharis and kangris, due to frequent power outages. “This winter feels harsher than anything I’ve experienced. We’ve been using wood-fired bukharis because the electricity supply is so unreliable,” said Adil Khan, a resident of Khanyar, Srinagar.
“My grandfather, who is 72, is suffering from severe joint pain due to the cold. My son has also been falling ill repeatedly. The dry weather is brutal,” added Saima Jan, a homemaker from Pattan, Baramulla.
Elsewhere in the Valley, Anantnag recorded minus 10.5°C, followed by Shopian at minus 10.4°C and Pulwama at minus 10.3°C. Other notable temperatures included Larnoo at minus 9.3°C, Khudwani at minus 9.0°C, Sonamarg at minus 8.8°C, and Pahalgam at minus 8.6°C. Budgam registered minus 8.3°C, while Qazigund recorded minus 8.2°C.
Despite the severe cold, traffic along the 270-kilometer Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained normal on Saturday. However, there were reports of slow movement due to the breakdown of heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) and single-lane traffic at various points.
Authorities have announced the following traffic restrictions: Vehicles will be allowed from both sides on the Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44), while only light motor vehicles (LMVs) will be allowed on the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. On the Srinagar-Kargil highway, vehicles must carry anti-skid chains, with only one-way traffic for LMVs followed by HMVs with anti-skid chains from Kargil towards Srinagar. Similarly, on the Mughal Road, LMVs are allowed to travel from both sides between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm.
Motorists are advised to take precautions and be prepared for slippery roads in the coming days.
