No relief from cold wave in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 19: As the cold wave continues to persist in Kashmir valley, Srinagar recorded its coldest night of the season with mercury plunging to minus 6 degrees Celsius last night while Shopian shivered at -10°C. The MeT department has forecasted very light snow over few higher reaches on Dec 21, officials said.
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 parts of the Valley.
Director Meteorological Department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that several areas in Kashmir and Ladakh have been experiencing sub-zero temperatures for an extended period.
“In coming days, temperatures are likely to decrease further. Foggy conditions may disrupt vehicular and air traffic, particularly during morning and evening hours,” he said.
Dr. Mukhtar said they are expecting the possibility of scattered rain and snowfall in the upper reaches of the Valley starting December 21-22.
“Dry conditions will prevail again from December 23 to 26. From December 27 and 28, there is again the possibility of light snowfall over higher reaches,” he added.
For the past five weeks, Kashmir has endured a relentless cold spell, with minimum temperatures in several areas plummeting to as low as minus 7 to minus 9 degrees Celsius, intensifying the chill, he added.
According to the Meteorological Department, Srinagar experienced its coldest night of the season, with the mercury plummeting to minus 6.0°C, while the maximum temperature settled at 9.4°C.
Historically, Srinagar recorded minus 8.4°C on January 13, 2021, marking the coldest January night in the past 29 years. Notably, the coldest January night on record was on January 20, 1991, when the temperature dropped to minus 11.8°C.
The lowest temperature ever recorded in Srinagar was minus 14.4°C, which occurred on January 31, 1893.
Meanwhile on Thursday, Qazigund experienced a low of minus 7°C, while Pahalgam recorded minus 6.8°C. Kokernag saw temperatures dip to minus 5.3°C, and Pulwama registered a bone-chilling minus 8.4°C.
Anantnag recorded minus 9°C, Khudwani minus 7°C, Kulgam minus 6.6°C, Shopian minus 10.2°C, and Larnoo reported minus 8.3°C.
Kupwara recorded a low of minus 6.2°C, while Sonamarg registered minus 7.1°C. Bandipora witnessed temperatures drop to minus 6.5°C, and Baramulla recorded minus 5.7°C.
Central Kashmir’s Budgam and Ganderbal districts also experienced severe cold, with minimum temperatures of minus 6.9°C and minus 6.1°C, respectively.
The Jammu region, though comparatively milder, is also feeling the winter chill. The winter capital, Jammu, recorded a minimum temperature of 5.1°C last night.
Banihal recorded minus 1.9°C, Batote 2.5°C, and Katra 6.6°C. Bhaderwah experienced a low of minus 0.6°C, Kishtwar 3°C, and Padder minus 6.6°C. Ramban recorded 6.3°C, Poonch 1.1°C, Rajouri 2.1°C, Samba 1.1°C, Kathua 5.2°C, Reasi 1.4°C, and Udhampur dipped to 0.1°C.
In the Union Territory of Ladakh, the winter chill is even more severe. Leh recorded a minimum temperature of minus 11.2°C, while Kargil reported a frigid minus 13.5°C, making it one of the coldest regions in the area.