Jammu and Kashmir experienced a bone-chilling Friday with temperatures plunging to record lows for the season. Srinagar, the winter capital, saw a biting minus 4 degrees Celsius, while Jammu, further south, recorded a meager 3.7 degrees Celsius, marking its lowest minimum temperature so far this year.
Adding to the misery, Jammu also shivered under its coldest recorded maximum temperature of 8.8 degrees Celsius on Thursday.
Other popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam fared no better, registering minimums of minus 3.2 and minus 5.3 degrees Celsius respectively. Ladakh region wasn’t spared either, with Leh, Kargil, and Drass recording chilling minimums of minus 11.2, minus 9.2, and minus 11.5 degrees Celsius respectively.
This bitter cold is part of the 40-day harsh winter period that began on December 21st and will continue until January 30th. However, unlike previous years, Kashmir has witnessed virtually no snowfall during this crucial period, a major disappointment for residents and the tourism industry.
Compounding the woes, the Meteorological Department predicts another week with little to no snowfall expected before January 25th. This lack of snow raises concerns about water availability later in the year, adding further strain to an already difficult winter season.
