Kashmir recorded its coldest night of the winter on December 21 at minus 5.5 degrees celsius.
The steep drop in temperature coincides with the start of the 40-day winter period 'Chilla-e-Kalan' (major cold) in Kashmiri, which is the coldest part of the season. Snowfall during the period freezes on the mountains and high forests and is the main source of fresh water in Kashmir apart from groundwater and rain.
The drop in temperatures was recorded in several places including Pahalgam, Qazigund, Kokernag in south Kashmir, Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Kupwara.
As per the information available, Pahalgam, 100 km south of Srinagar, recorded the coldest night of the season at minus 6.8 degree celsius.
The night temperature in south Kashmir’s Qazigund fell to minus 4.4 and Kokernag to minus 3.3 degrees.
North Kashmir‘s Kupwara at minus 5.1 degrees recorded the coldest night of the season to date. The temperature at the famous ski resort of Gulmarg was recorded at a low of minus 5.2.
The Met department in Srinagar has predicted intense cold waves amid persistent dry spells in the Valley.
A two-day wet spell is expected to disrupt the dry spell on December 29 and 30.
Meanwhile, winter makes life difficult in Kashmir due to increased load shedding and adverse impacts on the health of the people. Cases of respiratory and heart-related issues witness an increase, especially among those ageing and ailing.
The snowfall also disrupts life and restricts pedestrian and vehicular movement.
Bad weather also leaves the Srinagar-Jammu highway unfit for travel leaving people stranded outside the valley who want to return home. The authorities, the civic bodies, have already geared up to meet the challenge in view of the expected snowfall.
