Kashmir Awaits Rain and Snow as Western Disturbance Moves In

Srinagar, Jan 13: A western disturbance is expected to affect Kashmir from January 16, raising hopes of a fresh spell of light to moderate snowfall in the Valley, officials said on Tuesday.

According to the Meteorological Department, a weak western disturbance is likely to impact the region on Friday, followed by a stronger weather system a few days later. The development could bring much-needed precipitation, particularly to the plains, which have witnessed a prolonged dry spell this winter.

While higher reaches of Kashmir have already received snowfall, the plains continue to remain dry. The lack of precipitation has contributed to a rise in suspended particulate matter, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Srinagar hovering around 180. On Monday evening, AQI levels in the summer capital briefly spiked to as high as 500.

Cold wave conditions have also intensified across the Valley, with minimum temperatures dropping sharply on Monday night. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 4.9 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 2.4 degrees Celsius the previous night.

Sonamarg in Ganderbal district was the coldest location, recording minus 7.0 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam, the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, registered minus 6.2 degrees Celsius. In north Kashmir, the ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.5 degrees Celsius.

Other areas also reported sub-zero temperatures, with Qazigund at minus 5.0 degrees Celsius, Kokernag at minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara at minus 5.8 degrees Celsius.

The region is currently observing “Chilla-i-Kalan”, the harshest 40-day winter period that began on December 21 and will conclude on January 30. During this phase, temperatures often fall well below freezing and snowfall chances are usually high, though the plains have remained snowless so far this season.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast that weather conditions are likely to remain dry but cloudy until January 21.