Srinagar: Cold wave conditions tightened their grip over Kashmir Valley on Tuesday as temperatures dipped further, with Srinagar recording the coldest night of the season so far at minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, officials from the Meteorological (MeT) Department said.
“As expected, the minimum temperature dropped further in the Valley today. Srinagar recorded its coldest night of the season at minus 0.4°C. We expect the minimum temperature to fall further in the coming days as cold and dry weather is likely to persist for the next two weeks,” a MeT official said.
Among the popular tourist destinations, Gulmarg also recorded a minimum of minus 0.4°C, while Pahalgam was colder at minus 3.4°C. In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded 11.4°C, Katra (the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine) 10.4°C, Batote 4.3°C, and Bhaderwah 1.9°C, the official added.
The combination of clear night skies and cold winds from snow-covered mountains has intensified the cold wave across the Valley. The traditional period of severe winter, known as ‘Chillai Kalan’, begins on December 21 and lasts till January 30, marking 40 days of biting cold.
During Chillai Kalan, residents often struggle with frozen water taps, slippery roads, and dense morning fog that hampers daily movement. Schools, which lack adequate heating arrangements, usually close for winter recess by late December, reopening only in mid or late February, depending on weather conditions.
Doctors have urged people—especially the elderly and children—to avoid prolonged exposure to cold. Dr. Naveed Nazir Shah, a noted pulmonologist, cautioned that inhaling cold air for extended periods can trigger respiratory problems, leading to chest infections and breathing difficulties.
