Srinagar, Nov 7: Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital, Srinagar, recorded its coldest night of the season on Friday, with temperatures plummeting to 0.2°C, while the popular hill stations of Gulmarg and Pahalgam witnessed sub-zero temperatures.
According to the Meteorological (MeT) Department, Gulmarg recorded -2.6°C and Pahalgam -3°C as the minimum temperatures. Officials attributed the sharp drop to the recent mountain snowfall and clear night skies, conditions expected to persist for at least the next ten days.
“With the sky remaining clear, night temperatures are likely to dip further across the Valley in the coming days,” a MeT official said.
As the chill sets in, Kashmiris have turned to traditional winter essentials Kangri, the earthen firepot encased in wicker, and warm woollens such as Pheran, tweed overcoats, and woollen caps to fend off the cold.
Daytime offers little respite, with a feeble autumn sun barely cutting through the icy winds blowing from the snow covered mountains surrounding the Valley.
The cold wave is expected to intensify as the Valley moves toward ‘Chillai Kalan’, the harshest phase of winter spanning December 21 to January 30, when temperatures plunge further and water bodies often freeze, making daily life challenging.
During this period, roads become slippery, and residents often light fires near frozen water taps to de-freeze them in the mornings.
Elsewhere in the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded a minimum temperature of 11.6°C, while Katra registered 12.1°C, Batote 6.1°C, Banihal 8.8°C, and Bhaderwah 4.5°C.
Kashmir continues to brace for an early onset of winter, with locals preparing for the season’s first widespread frost in the coming days.