The Cold wave has tightened its grip on Kashmir following a brief respite after the recent rain and snowfall on December 20-21, officials said on Thursday.
The minimum temperatures have plunged several degrees, settling below the freezing point owing to clear night skies, they said.
According to the MeT office in Srinagar, “The summer capital recorded minus 2.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night.”
The minimum temperatures across the majority of the weather stations in the Kashmir valley recorded a sharp dip on Wednesday, though the dense fog that had enveloped the valley has now disappeared. Jammu city remained the warmest place, with temperatures fluctuating between 9 and 11 degrees Celsius, while Sonamarg was the coldest place, with minus 7 degrees Celsius.
The cold wave has intensified across the region after a 40-day harsh winter period (Chillai Kalan), which commenced on Sunday last week.
The Met has forecasted dry and cold weather to continue across Jammu and Kashmir until December 31.
Also Read: Dense fog in Punjab and Haryana
The prolonged dry spell, previously accompanied by dense fog, had exacerbated the hardships for common people in Kashmir.
Flight operations at Srinagar International Airport have continued smoothly amid clear skies and dry weather.
Chillai Kalan, running from December 21 to January 31, is the coldest phase of winter, vital for replenishing water bodies through snowfall on mountaintops and in forests.
This precipitation supports summer water supplies, horticulture, and agriculture in the region.
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