Kashmir and Jammu are suffering through an intensely cold and dry winter, with temperatures significantly lower than usual. This comes during the 40-day period of “Chillai Kalan,” when Kashmir typically receives snowfall crucial for replenishing water supplies. However, worryingly, there has been little to no snowfall so far.
In Srinagar, the minimum temperature plummeted to a bone-chilling minus 5.3 degrees Celsius on Monday, while Gulmarg and Pahalgam recorded minus 4 degrees Celsius and minus 6.9 degrees Celsius respectively. Even Ladakh’s Leh town dipped to minus 16.7 degrees Celsius, and Kargil to minus 12.4 degrees Celsius.
Jammu city was not spared either, with a minimum temperature of only 5 degrees Celsius on Monday, and a maximum of 7.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday, both significantly below normal. Other areas in Jammu like Katra, Batote, Bhaderwah, and Banihal also experienced frigid nights, with temperatures as low as 3 degrees Celsius and minus 1 degree Celsius.
