Kashmir Shivers as Biting Cold Pushes Temperatures Below Freezing Across Regions
Srinagar records 3.7°C; Pulwama coldest at 5.1°C as valley braces for Chilla-i-Kalan
Srinagar, Dec 9: A severe cold wave continued to grip Kashmir on Tuesday, with night temperatures plunging below the freezing point across most parts of the valley, officials said.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.7 degrees Celsius on Monday night, a sharp fall from minus 2.4 degrees Celsius the previous night. The temperature was around 3.1 degrees below the seasonal average, officials added.
In south Kashmir, Qazigund registered a low of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag recorded minus 0.5 degrees Celsius. North Kashmir’s Kupwara town also logged a minimum of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius.
Tourist destinations witnessed intense cold, with Pahalgam — the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra recording a low of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg settled at minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, while Pulwama emerged as the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir, registering minus 5.1 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorological Department said weather conditions are likely to remain generally dry across the valley till December 12. However, light rain or snowfall is possible in isolated higher reaches from December 13 onwards.
With temperatures continuing to fall, residents are gearing up for the onset of ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’ the harshest 40-day winter period in Kashmir which begins on December 21.`11
