A severe cold wave has intensified across Jammu & Kashmir, with temperatures plummeting sharply below the seasonal average, officials reported on Friday. The persistent dry chill has sparked health concerns and signals a harsh beginning to the region's famed 'Chillai Kalan', the 40-day peak winter period.
According to meteorological data, the entire valley shivered under sub-zero minimums overnight. The southern district of Pulwama was recorded as the coldest inhabited place in Jammu & Kashmir, with the mercury plunging to -5.5 degrees Celsius. Its neighbour, Shopian, was close behind at -5 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar, the summer capital, saw temperatures drop further to -3.6 degrees Celsius, a notable 2.4 degrees below the normal for this time of year. Other populous areas reported similarly biting conditions: Kupwara in the north recorded -3.6 degrees Celsius, Qazigund in the south registered -2.8 degrees Celsius and Baramulla dipped to -4.7 degrees Celsius.
Tourist destinations feel the freeze
Major tourist and pilgrimage centres were not spared. Pahalgam, a base camp for the Amarnath Yatra, recorded a low of -4.6 degrees Celsius. However, the famed ski resort of Gulmarg presented a relative anomaly, with its minimum temperature settling at 0 degrees Celsius. In Ladakh, the freeze was even more profound, with Leh recording -7.8 degrees Celsius and Kargil at -7.0 degrees Celsius.
The Jammu division, while milder, also saw a significant chill in its upper reaches. Jammu city recorded 8.5 degrees Celsius, but towns like Rajouri and Bhaderwah hovered just above freezing at 1.6 degrees Celsius and 1.9 degrees Celsius respectively.
Health advisory issued amid dry spell
The prevailing dry weather, according to local reports, has led to a rise in respiratory ailments such as cough and common cold. Doctors have advised the public, particularly children and the elderly, to take necessary precautions and remain indoors during the coldest hours.
The regional meteorological department forecasts a continuation of cold, dry conditions with shallow to moderate fog expected in many areas over the coming days. A slight reprieve may arrive in the form of very light snowfall at isolated higher reaches of north and central Kashmir from December 13 to 17.
‘Chillai Kalan’ approaches
A more significant shift in weather is anticipated towards the end of next week. The MeT office indicated that as ‘Chillai Kalan’ commences, conditions are likely to become partly to generally cloudy on December 18 and 19.
This is expected to be followed by the possibility of light rain or snow at scattered places across the valley on December 20 and 21, potentially marking the true, icy onset of the harshest winter phase.
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