Srinagar, Dec 21: Srinagar recorded its coldest December night in nearly five decades as the temperature plummeted to minus 8.5 degrees Celsius, the lowest since December 1974, when it touched minus 10.3 degrees Celsius even as other parts of Kashmir also experienced a deep freeze.
The deep freeze in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir was recorded on the first day of the Chillai Kalan, the 40-day period of harsh winter, which lasts until January 29.
According to the Meteorological Department, this was the third-coldest December night in Srinagar since 1891.
The city’s all-time low for December was minus 12.8 degrees Celsius, recorded on December 13, 1934.
Other parts of Kashmir also experienced severe cold, with minimum temperatures dropping well below the freezing point.
South Kashmir’s Konibal, in Pampore, emerged as the coldest location in the Valley, registering a bone-chilling minus 10.5 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund recorded minus 8.2 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam minus 8.6 degrees Celsius, and Gulmarg minus 6.2 degrees Celsius.
Kupwara’s temperature dipped to minus 7.2 degrees Celsius, its coldest December night since 1998.
The freezing conditions caused several water bodies, including portions of Dal Lake, to develop layers of ice.
Water supply lines froze across many areas, disrupting daily life.
“This is the harshest winter I have experienced,” said Muhammad Akber of Batamaloo, Srinagar. “Our water pipes and tanks have frozen, and erratic electricity supply has made matters worse. We are relying on LPG heaters and Kangris (the traditional Kashmiri firepots) to stay warm.”
The extreme cold has also led to a rise in health concerns, with people complaining of respiratory ailments like colds and coughs. The Meteorological Department has predicted primarily dry conditions until December 28.
A spell of light snow over mountainous areas is forecast between December 27 and December 28, which could bring some respite from the biting cold.
Dry weather is likely to continue on December 29 and 30, with light snowfall anticipated on New Year’s Eve.
In Jammu, relatively milder weather prevailed, with Jammu city recording a minimum of 5.4 degrees Celsius.
Other areas like Banihal saw temperatures dip to minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, while Bhaderwah recorded minus 2.3 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Ladakh experienced even harsher conditions. Leh registered a low of minus 12.5 degrees Celsius while Kargil’s temperature dropped to minus 14.3 degrees Celsius.
