Kashmir is experiencing a severe cold wave as temperatures plummet across the region, with several areas, including Pahalgam, recording below-freezing lows. The minimum temperature in Srinagar dropped to minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, down from the previous night’s 1°C. The Met office attributed this drop to clear skies and sunny weather over the past few days, which have contributed to the chill tightening its grip on the Valley.
Pahalgam, in particular, recorded the coldest temperature in the region at minus 10.4°C, a significant drop from minus 8.2°C the previous night. Other parts of the Valley also experienced sharp declines in temperature. Gulmarg, a popular tourist destination, saw a relatively milder low of minus 9.6°C, slightly higher than the previous night’s minus 9.8°C.
Qazigund, the gateway to Kashmir, and Konibal in Pampore logged identical lows of minus 6.2°C, while Kupwara in the north recorded minus 4.6°C, and Kokernag in the south experienced minus 5.6°C.
The cold wave is a result of the ongoing ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ the harshest winter period in Kashmir, which began on December 21 and continues until January 30. During this 40-day spell, temperatures generally dip to their lowest, and the region is prone to heavy snowfall. The Met office has forecasted mainly dry weather over the next two days, with the possibility of light snow or rain in isolated areas on Saturday. The cold conditions are expected to persist, with temperatures likely to drop further.
After ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ the region will enter a 20-day ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) phase, followed by the 10-day ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).
