Srinagar, December 26 – Kashmir is reeling under an intense cold wave as temperatures plummet far below the freezing point, causing water supply lines to freeze and a thin layer of ice to form over several water bodies, including the iconic Dal Lake.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light snowfall in higher altitudes on Friday and Saturday, triggered by an approaching Western Disturbance. The region has seen a significant drop in night temperatures, intensifying the winter chill.
Frigid Nights Across Kashmir
On Wednesday night, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -7°C, marginally higher than the previous night’s -7.3°C. The popular ski resort of Gulmarg, in North Kashmir, registered a minimum temperature of -6°C, slightly up from the previous night’s -6.6°C.
At Pahalgam, the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, the mercury dipped to -8.6°C, down from -8.4°C the night before. In Qazigund, often referred to as the gateway to Kashmir, the temperature dropped to -7°C, while Konibal, a small village in the Pampore region, emerged as the coldest place in the valley with a biting -9°C.
Other areas also reported sub-zero temperatures, with Kupwara in North Kashmir recording -6.7°C, and Kokernag in South Kashmir at -5.5°C.
Weather Forecast
The IMD has warned of an active Western Disturbance affecting Jammu and Kashmir from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. This is expected to bring light snowfall to higher altitudes during this period.
Looking ahead, the weather is predicted to remain dry on December 29, 30, and 31, while light snowfall may occur in scattered locations across Kashmir between January 1 and 4, 2025.
Chillai-Kalan in Full Force
The ongoing Chillai-Kalan, the harshest 40-day period of winter in Kashmir, began on December 21 and will continue until January 30, 2025. This period is characterized by the coldest temperatures of the season, with the highest likelihood of heavy snowfall. Even after Chillai-Kalan ends, the cold wave is expected to persist.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.