Srinagar, Nov 28: Meteorological officials have confirmed that the La Nina weather phenomenon has triggered an early freeze across the Kashmir Valley, marking a harsher start to winter than usual.
Temperatures have dipped below seasonal averages, with residents reporting frost and icy conditions weeks ahead of the traditional onset of peak winter. The early chill has disrupted daily life, affecting transport, agriculture, and energy demand across the region.
Experts explained that La Nina, a cooling of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, often influences global weather patterns. In Kashmir, it has intensified cold waves, bringing premature snowfall to higher reaches and lowering temperatures in the plains.
Authorities have advised residents to prepare for a prolonged winter season, with power utilities and health services placed on alert. Farmers have expressed concern over the impact on crops, while tourism operators anticipate challenges in managing early snow conditions.
Climate specialists noted that the early freeze underscores the growing unpredictability of seasonal cycles, with global climate change amplifying the effects of natural phenomena such as La Niña.
