Srinagar, Jan 22: As In the midst of a relentless cold wave, Srinagar experienced bone-chilling temperatures, plummeting to minus 5.3°C, marking the second coldest night this season, as reported by officials. The Meteorological Department predicts generally cloudy weather with light snow at higher altitudes from January 25 to January 31, intensifying the cold wave across the Kashmir region.
Director of the Meteorological Department at Srinagar Centre, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, stated that the next two days will witness moderate to dense fog and a further drop in daytime temperatures over the plains of Jammu division. Numerous locations across the valley reported extreme subzero temperatures, with Pulwama and Shopian in south Kashmir recording a bone-chilling 7.4 degrees below freezing on Sunday night.
Srinagar city recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.3 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than the previous night’s minus 4.8 degrees Celsius. Other areas like Pahalgam, Qazigund, Gulmarg, Kokernag, and Kupwara reported varying degrees of cold.
Despite a dry and relatively snowless winter, the valley has been grappling with freezing nights and unusually warmer days. Srinagar’s daytime temperatures consistently exceed eight degrees above normal for this time of year.
Kashmir is currently in the midst of “Chilla-i-Kalan,” a 40-day harsh winter period characterized by a cold wave, freezing water bodies, and pipes. This period is set to conclude on January 31, followed by a 20-day “Chilla-i-Khurd” (small cold) and a 10-day “Chilla-i-Bachha” (baby cold).
While the 270-kilometer Jammu-Srinagar National Highway saw normal traffic on Monday, the Traffic Department anticipates continued fair weather for vehicular movement on Tuesday. Commuters are urged to adhere to lane discipline.
Additionally, vehicular movement on the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road will be permitted in both directions—Srinagar to Kargil and vice versa, contingent upon weather conditions.
