Chillai Kalan at doorstep

Srinagar, Dec 19: A cold wave again gripped Kashmir on Friday, with most parts of the Valley recording subzero temperatures overnight and Pulwama emerging as the coldest place at minus 4 degrees Celsius.

“Night temperatures have fallen below the freezing point at most places across the Valley,” an official of the Meteorological Department (MeT) said.

He said that the cold intensified after a brief respite earlier this week.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.1 degrees Celsius, a sharp drop of nearly 2 degrees Celsius from the previous night, officials said.

The city’s airport was colder, logging minus 3.4 degrees Celsius.

A thick layer of fog enveloped Srinagar and several other areas, particularly near water bodies, during the early morning hours.

Elsewhere in Kashmir, Baramulla recorded minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, while Pampore and Shopian settled at minus 3.5 degrees Celsius each, according to data compiled by Kashmir Weather.

Kupwara, Anantnag, and Bandipora recorded minimum temperatures close to minus 3 degrees Celsius.

Tourist resort Pahalgam registered a low of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius.

However, Gulmarg remained relatively warmer at 1 degree Celsius.

Kokernag and Kulgam recorded minimums of 0.5 degrees Celsius and 0.9 degrees Celsius, while Sonamarg hovered just above the freezing point at 0.1 degrees Celsius.

Temperature data for Zojila Pass was unavailable, and the Zethan Rafiabad weather station remained non-functional, officials said.

In the Jammu region, temperatures stayed well above freezing.

Jammu city recorded a minimum of 9.9 degrees Celsius, while the airport logged 11.1 degrees Celsius.

Banihal recorded 3.5 degrees Celsius, Bhaderwah 2.3 degrees Celsius, Rajouri 2.4 degrees Celsius, and Katra 9.2 degrees Celsius.

Ladakh continued to reel under intense cold conditions, with Leh recording a minimum of minus 4.6 degrees Celsius, Kargil minus 4 degrees Celsius, and Nubra Valley minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, officials said.

The MeT has advised residents, particularly those in higher reaches, to remain cautious as cold conditions persist.

Kashmir is bracing for the onset of Chillai Kalan on December 21, a period marked by the harshest winter conditions and the highest chances of snowfall.

Chillai Kalan, the 40-day harshest phase of winter, lasts until January 29.

So far, Kashmir has not witnessed any major wet spell this season leading to drying up of rivers, streams and springs.

The prolonged dry weather has led to a rise in ailments like cough and the common cold.

However, the MeT has forecast a spell of wet weather on December 20-21, coinciding with the onset of Chillai Kalan.

“Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected in the higher reaches, while light to moderate precipitation may occur in the plains, which is likely to end the ongoing dry spell,” the MET said.