Environmentalists say early extreme chill signals accelerating climate disruption
Srinagar, Nov 24: Kashmir reeled under its harshest cold wave of the season as temperatures plunged well below zero across the Valley and its higher reaches. The Zojila Pass recorded a brutal –16°C, while Srinagar endured its coldest night yet at –3.2°C, according to the Meteorological Centre.
Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said persistent dry weather, long nights and clear skies are driving rapid surface cooling across the region. No precipitation was reported anywhere in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, he said.
Dr Mukhtar said that department has forecasted generally dry weather from 24 November to 1 December, followed by cloudy conditions on 2 December with the possibility of a brief spell of very light snowfall over isolated higher reaches. The period from 3 to 10 December is also expected to remain dry, he said.
Authorities have warned of shallow to moderate fog across many parts of Kashmir and isolated areas in Jammu, along with a further decline of 1–2°C in both maximum and minimum temperatures in the coming week.
south Kashmir shivered under an intense cold spell, with Pampore dipping to –4.5°C, and the region’s coldest readings coming from Shopian and Pulwama at –5.1°C and –5.0°C. Pahalgam, despite its tourist rush, slipped to –4.0°C, while Kokernag stayed relatively milder at –0.4°C.
In the northern districts, Baramulla posted –4.6°C, the slopes of Gulmarg settled at –1.9°C, Bandipora clocked –3.3°C, and Kupwara slipped to –3.2°C.
Budgam froze at –3.4°C, the Srinagar airport zone slid to –3.6°C, Ganderbal touched –2.5°C, and Sonamarg recorded –3.2°C.
The most punishing temperatures, however, came from the higher reaches of Ladakh. Nyoma plunged to a bone-chilling –11.8°C, Drass fell to –10.3°C, Padum hovered at –9.3°C, Kargil reported –8.6°C, and Leh remained deeply cold at –8.2°C. Meteorologists said the prevailing pattern indicates that the cold wave is likely to strengthen in the days ahead as the region heads deeper into winter.
Environmental activists in Kashmir described the ongoing cold wave as a stark indicator of accelerating climate instability across the Himalayan belt.
Dr Mudasir Wani, an environmentalist, says such steep temperature drops this early point to deeper disruptions in the region’s climate cycle. When extreme cold follows unusually warm autumn weeks, it shows how erratic and unpredictable our weather has become, he said.
Dr Wani said that this is no longer just a seasonal fluctuation. A freezing, rain-deficient start to winter hits agriculture, water availability, tourism and public health. Unless climate-resilience planning becomes a priority, these extreme events will stop being exceptions and become the new normal, he said.
Another expert, Dr Rahib Amin, said Kashmir is not just experiencing winter; it is witnessing a climate readjustment that is growing more unpredictable every year.
“If we don’t act now, these temperature extremes will only intensify. The sustained neglect of ecological balance could push the region toward irreversible change,” he added.
Irfan Yattoo
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