While a dry spell grips the Kashmir Valley, bone-chilling conditions intensify as temperatures take a dive. Despite the lack of rain or snow, daytime temperatures are uncharacteristically high, with Srinagar recording a scorching 14.2°C on Tuesday – a whopping 8.1°C above average for this time of year. Interestingly, Jammu, typically milder in winter, felt colder with a mere 11.6°C, 6.5°C below its usual January high. Dense fog blanketing the city likely contributed to the chill.
As night falls, the frosty reality sets in. Srinagar dipped to a frigid -5°C on Tuesday, a notable drop from the previous night’s -2.4°C. Other locations across the valley experienced similar chills: Qazigund (-4.4°C), Gulmarg (-5°C), and Kupwara (-4.7°C). Pahalgam, a crucial base camp for the Amarnath Yatra, surprisingly saw a rise in its minimum temperature, climbing from -4.4°C to -6.3°C. Kokernag settled at a chilly -2.4°C.
This sudden dip in temperatures coincides with the ongoing “Chilla-i-Kalan,” a 40-day harsh winter period infamous for its bone-numbing temperatures, frozen water bodies, and potential for heavy snowfall. Unfortunately, a prolonged dry spell has cast a shadow over winter in Kashmir. December witnessed a shocking 79% rainfall deficit, and the first week of January hasn’t seen a single drop of precipitation. Most low-lying areas haven’t witnessed any snowfall, and even the higher reaches have received less than usual. The dry spell is expected to continue until January 12th, further adding to the valley’s winter woes.
While relief from the biting cold won’t come until “Chilla-i-Kalan” ends on January 31st, the valley can expect a reprieve from the coldest days. “Chilla-i-Khurd” (a 20-day “small cold”) and “Chilla-i-Bachha” (a 10-day “baby cold”) will follow, gradually ushering in warmer days.
