Cold wave conditions have intensified across Jammu and Kashmir amid a forecast for fresh snowfall in widespread parts of the UT starting Thursday evening, officials said. The Meteorological Department (MeT) has predicted moderate to heavy snowfall.
“Srinagar, the summer capital, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, while Srinagar International Airport settled at minus 3.8 degrees Celsius,” the MeT said.
The prolonged dry spell and intense cold have caused several water bodies in the Valley to freeze, with night temperatures consistently remaining below the freezing point.
Health officials have urged residents to avoid venturing outdoors during the early morning hours, warning that the biting cold breeze may worsen chest and respiratory ailments. Cloudy weather conditions are likely to prevail across the region until January 26.
In contrast, minimum temperatures in the Jammu region have remained above normal at most stations, including Jammu city, Katra, Reasi, Udhampur and the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
Katra in the Jammu was the warmest location at 7.6 degrees Celsius, while Sonamarg remained the coldest spot overall at minus 6.1 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. However, a persistent deficit in rainfall and snowfall in the plains has raised serious concerns among the farming community.
Meanwhile, fresh snowfall was reported across higher reaches, including popular tourist destinations such as Gurez, Drass, Zojila, Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Doodpathri, where most areas received light to moderate snow.
The MeT office in Srinagar has forecast fresh rain and snowfall from January 22–26 across widespread areas, including the plains.
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