Unrelenting cold continues in Kashmir Valley, Pahalgam freezes at -12.5°C

Srinagar: The severe cold wave continues to grip Kashmir Valley as Srinagar recorded a low of minus 7.2°C on Saturday.

Quoting an official from meteorological department, GNS reported that the minimum temperature hovered around far below the normal in other parts of the Valley.

The minimum temperatures have consistently remained far below normal this season. On the previous night, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 7.7°C, more than six degrees below normal (minus 1.0°C) for this time of the season.

On January 14, Srinagar witnessed the season’s coldest night at minus 8.4°C which was the chilliest one in more than 25 years. In 1991, Srinagar witnessed a low of minus 11.8°C while the lowest ever temperature was recorded on 31 January 1893 when the mercury had plummeted to minus 14.4 degrees Celsius.

The mercury settled at minus 12.5°C in Pahalgam against minus 12.0°C on the previous night.

Qazigund, the gateway town of J&K, recorded a low of minus 8.8°C against minus 10.8°C on the previous night while Kokernag recorded a minimum of minus 10.9°C against minus 11.4°C on the earlier night.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 10.0°C against minus 11.5°C earlier night, the official said.

The mercury settled at minus 3.7°C in Kupwara against minus 3.0°C on the previous night, the official added.

Kashmir is currently under the grip of Chillai-Kalan — the 40-day-long harshest winter period which commenced on December 21 and ends on January 31. The period is considered the harshest of the winter when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum.

The cold wave, however, continues even after that in Kashmir with a 20-day-long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day-long ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold). Kashmir Valley received heavy snowfall earlier this month, disrupting normal life.

The weatherman has forecast cloudy weather with the possibility of light snowfall at isolated places of J&K and Ladakh during January 31 and February 1.

“Light to Moderate snow and rain is most likely at scattered places of J&K and Ladakh mainly during 2-3rd February,” the MeT official added. (GNS)