Kashmir Sees Dip in Mercury Across Most Regions
Srinagar shivers at minus 3.4°C; Met Office predicts first snowfall in plains this winter
Srinagar, Jan 20: Minimum temperatures dipped across most parts of Kashmir on Tuesday as the valley prepared for multiple spells of rain and snowfall later this week, including the possibility of the season’s first snowfall in the plains, officials said.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius on Monday night, a sharp fall from minus 1.2 degrees Celsius the previous night. Sonamarg, the tourist resort in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, emerged as the coldest place in the valley with a minimum temperature of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius.
In south Kashmir, Shopian and Pulwama towns recorded lows of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius and minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, respectively. Pahalgam, a key tourist destination and one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra, saw the mercury plunge to minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, down from minus 1.8 degrees Celsius a night earlier.
The ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district registered a minimum temperature of minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, nearly two degrees lower than the previous night. Qazigund, the gateway town of the valley, recorded a low of minus 2.3 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag and Kupwara settled at minus 0.6 degrees Celsius and minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Kashmir is currently witnessing Chilla-i-Kalan, the harshest 40-day winter period marked by intense cold and increased chances of snowfall. The period began on December 21 and will conclude on January 30.
While higher reaches of the valley have already received snowfall, the plains have remained snowless so far this winter. However, the Meteorological Department has forecast snowfall in the plains, including Srinagar, later this week.
According to the Met Office, two western disturbances are expected to affect Jammu and Kashmir between January 22–24 and January 26–28. These systems are likely to bring widespread light to moderate rain and snowfall, with heavy precipitation at isolated places. The peak activity is forecast for January 23 and January 27.
