Cold wave conditions have returned to the Kashmir Valley following widespread fresh snowfall that covered most weather stations across the Union Territory, officials said on Thursday.
The intense cold has swept through popular tourist destinations and higher reaches, although Srinagar recorded an above-normal minimum temperature on Wednesday night.
“The summer capital recorded a minimum temperature of minus 0.6 degrees Celsius,” the Meteorological Department said.
Popular destinations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam are experiencing severe freezing conditions. Sonamarg, in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, emerged as the coldest place, with a minimum temperature of minus 11.2 degrees Celsius—down from minus 9.8 degrees Celsius recorded on Tuesday night.
Gulmarg recorded minus 9 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam recorded minus 4.5 degrees Celsius. Qazigund, the gateway to Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of 0.6 degrees Celsius.
The Kashmir Valley is now in the final phase of Chillai-Kalan, the harshest 40-day winter period traditionally associated with heavy snowfall. Chillai-Kalan, which began on December 21 last year, will end on January 30.
According to the Meteorological Department, many weather stations in the Kashmir Valley—including those in the north, south and central regions—have recorded cold wave conditions.
Higher reaches of the valley have continued to receive intermittent snowfall, while the plains experienced fresh snowfall on January 23 and January 27, ending a prolonged dry spell.
In the Jammu region, minimum temperatures remained above normal at most weather stations, including Jammu city, Katra, Reasi, Udhampur and the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
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