cold-wave-intensifies-across-kashmir

The minimum temperatures across the Kashmir Valley have plunged amid clear night skies and dry weather conditions, officials said on Tuesday.
Similar weather conditions are expected to persist in the region over the next few days, with the least chance of rain or snowfall until January 10.

 

Amidst the prevailing weather conditions, the cases of seasonal illness among the young and elderly people have surged across the valley. Doctors have advised people to keep warm and avoid early morning travel if possible.

 

The majority of the weather stations in the Kashmir Valley, including the north, south, and central regions, are experiencing cold wave conditions. The famous tourist spots, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonmarg, received fresh snowfall.

 

According to the MeT office in Srinagar, “The summer capital recorded a further dip in temperature, with the minimum settling at minus 4.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday night compared to minus 3.6 degrees Celsius recorded the night before.”

 

“However, there is little possibility of light rain or snowfall in the plains of the Kashmir Valley until January 10,” it said.

 

South Kashmir’s Anantnag district recorded minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, Pulwama recorded minus 5.4 degrees Celsius, Kupwara recorded minus 3.1 degrees Celsius, and Baramulla recorded minus 4.0 degrees Celsius on Monday night.

 

In the Jammu region, temperatures, however, remained above freezing point at most of the weather stations. Jammu city remained the warmest place, with minimum temperatures at 5.2 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg emerged as the coldest with minus 8.6 degrees Celsius recorded on the previous night.
The Valley’s main tourist attractions, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, and Pahalgam, are witnessing a massive rush of tourists following the recent snowfall.

The recent snowfall partially ended a prolonged dry period in Kashmir, affecting several water bodies, though levels showed some increase following the snowfall recorded over higher reaches on New Year’s Eve.

 

Meanwhile, the Valley is in the middle of the harsh 40-day Chillai-Kalan period. During this period, the Kashmir Valley usually receives heavy snowfall, which replenishes the agricultural land, particularly the horticulture and saffron fields.

 

Also Read: Cold wave intensifies in Valley; flights suspended at Leh Airport